[Clinical aspects and diagnosis of metastatic pericarditis in cancer patients]

Metastatic pericarditis was identified in 74 out of 240 cancer patients suffering from secondary tumor lesions in the heart (30.8%). It involved quick accumulation of exudate which led to grave heart failure due to cardiac tamponade development in 39%. Liquid in the heart sac was detected by X-rays in 20, ECG-39, and echocardiography--in 83% of patients. Application of echocardiography provides a means for ascertaining the extent of pericardial involvement and monitoring changes in tumor process occurring in the course of therapy.