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A pericardial effusion is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity. The pericardium is a two-part membrane surrounding the heart: the outer fibrous connective membrane and an inner two-layered serous membrane .
Purulent Pericarditis; Echocardiogram showing pericardial effusion with signs of cardiac tamponade: Specialty: Cardiology: Symptoms: substernal chest pain (exacerbated supine and with breathing deeply), dyspnea, fever, rigors/chills, and cardiorespiratory signs (i.e., tachycardia, friction rub, pulsus paradoxus, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, pleural effusion)
On a chest X-ray, the normal heart silhouette should have a clear and defined outline. However, in cases of pericardial effusion, the accumulation of fluid within the pericardial sac causes the heart to appear enlarged and assumes a shape that is reminiscent of a water bottle, with relatively smooth cardiac contours. [2]
Fluid can be removed from the pericardial space for diagnosis or to relieve tamponade using a syringe in a procedure called pericardiocentesis. [11] For cases of recurrent pericardial effusion, an operation to create a hole between the pericardial and pleural spaces can be performed, known as a pericardial window or pericardiostomy.
Cardiac tamponade, also known as pericardial tamponade (/ ˌ t æ m. p ə ˈ n eɪ d / [4]), is a compression of the heart due to pericardial effusion (the build-up of pericardial fluid in the sac around the heart). [2] Onset may be rapid or gradual. [2]
The pleural and pericardial cavities are exaggerated since normally there is no space between parietal and visceral pleura and between pericardium and heart. Pericardial fluid is the serous fluid secreted by the serous layer of the pericardium into the pericardial cavity. The pericardium consists of two layers, an outer fibrous layer and the ...
The diagnosis of tamponade can be confirmed with trans-thoracic echocardiography (TTE), which should show a large pericardial effusion and diastolic collapse of the right ventricle and right atrium. Chest X-ray usually shows an enlarged cardiac silhouette ("water bottle" appearance) and clear lungs. Pulmonary congestion is typically not seen ...
It is clinically similar to a pericardial effusion, and, depending on the volume and rapidity with which it develops, may cause cardiac tamponade. [ 1 ] The condition can be caused by full-thickness necrosis (death) of the myocardium (heart muscle) after myocardial infarction , chest trauma , [ 2 ] and by over-prescription of anticoagulants .