Occurrence of right ventricular dysfunction immediately after pericardiocentesis.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Echocardiography
• Cardiac Physiology

Background:

• Pericardiocentesis is a procedure to drain pericardial effusion.
• The impact of pericardiocentesis on cardiac function, particularly right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) function, remains unclear.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for clinical management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the changes in RV and LV function following pericardiocentesis using echocardiography.
• To identify potential predictors of post-procedural RV dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Prospective enrollment of 19 patients undergoing pericardiocentesis for moderate to large pericardial effusion.
• Comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography performed before, immediately after, and 1 day after the procedure.
• Evaluation of RV and LV function parameters, including RV free wall longitudinal strain.

Main Results:

• Pericardiocentesis led to increased RV inflow/outflow diameters and significantly decreased RV function parameters (p < 0.001).
• RV dysfunction persisted 1 day post-procedure and was observed in 13 out of 19 patients.
• Left ventricular function parameters remained unchanged.
• Pre-procedural RV free wall longitudinal strain was significantly lower in patients who developed post-procedural RV dysfunction (p = 0.005).

Conclusions:

• Pericardiocentesis can cause significant, persistent RV dysfunction.
• Left ventricular function is not affected by the procedure.
• Pre-procedural RV free wall longitudinal strain is a potential predictor of post-procedural RV dysfunction, warranting further attention.