Purulent pericarditis in children: is pericardiotomy needed?
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Updated: May 26, 2026

Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve Replacement from Autologous Pericardium with a Self-Expandable Nitinol Stent in an Adult Sheep Model
Published on: June 8, 2022
Orli Megged1, Zvi Argaman, David Kleid
1Infectious Diseases Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. orlimegged@szmc.org.il
Objectives:
This study aimed to describe our experience with pediatric bacterial pericarditis and review the optimal therapy for this entity.
Methods:
This is a retrospective study in a pediatric intensive care unit in a university hospital. Three children were diagnosed with purulent pericarditis. They were all treated with antibiotics, echocardiography-guided pericardial fluid drainage, and placement of a pericardial catheter, with no need for thoracotomy or pericardial window.
Results:
All 3 children fully recovered, and none developed constrictive pericarditis.
Conclusions:
Children with purulent pericarditis usually can be treated with antibiotics and drainage of pericardial effusion, with no need for thoracotomy or pericardial window.
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