Echocardiographic identification of intrapericardial fibrous strands in acute pericarditis with pericardial effusion
Chest
|January 1, 1980
Insights
Echocardiography revealed fibrous strands in acute pericarditis with effusion, complicating pericardiocentesis. Fortunately, none of the patients developed constrictive pericarditis.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Acute pericarditis with pericardial effusion is a condition requiring accurate diagnosis and management.
- Echocardiography is a key imaging modality for evaluating pericardial diseases.
Observation:
- M-mode and cross-sectional echocardiography visualized fibrous strands within the pericardial effusion in three patients.
- These strands presented a technical challenge during pericardiocentesis in all observed cases.
Findings:
- The presence of fibrous strands in pericardial effusion was confirmed via echocardiography.
- Difficulties in pericardiocentesis were noted in all cases due to these strands.
- A significant finding was the absence of progression to constrictive pericarditis in any of the patients.
Implications:
- Echocardiographic identification of fibrous strands can anticipate challenges in pericardiocentesis for acute pericarditis.
- While challenging, the absence of progression to constrictive pericarditis suggests a potentially favorable short-term outcome in these specific cases.
- Further research may explore the prognostic significance of these fibrous strands in acute pericarditis.
Abstract:
In three cases of acute pericarditis with pericardial effusion, the presence of fibrous strands within the fluid-filled pericardial cavity was demonstrated by M-mode and cross-sectional echocardiography. Pericardiocentesis proved difficult in all three. No patient progressed to constrictive pericarditis.
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