Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
Thoracentesis / ˌ θ ɔː r ə s ɪ n ˈ t iː s ɪ s /, also known as thoracocentesis (from Greek θώραξ (thōrax, GEN thōrakos) 'chest, thorax' and κέντησις (kentēsis) 'pricking, puncture'), pleural tap, needle thoracostomy, or needle decompression (often used term), is an invasive medical procedure to remove fluid or air from the pleural space for diagnostic or therapeutic ...
This places the heart in proximity to the chest wall for easier insertion of the needle into the pericardial sac. [ 5 ] [ 7 ] For patients that are awake, a local anaesthetic is applied. [ 8 ] A large needle is inserted through the skin of the chest into the pericardium, and the practitioner aspirates the pericardial effusion into a syringe . [ 6 ]
Initial tests include electrocardiography (ECG) and chest x-ray. Chest x-ray: is non-specific and may not help identify a pericardial effusion but a very large, chronic effusion can present as "water-bottle sign" on an x-ray, which occurs when the cardiopericardial silhouette is enlarged and assumes the shape of a flask or water bottle. [2]
The patient is positioned in the supine position tilted up at 45 degrees if the patient can tolerate this. The head should rest on a pillow and the arms by their sides. The level of the jugular venous pressure (JVP) should only be commented on in this position as flatter or steeper angles lead to artificially elevated or reduced level respectively.
About 13% — roughly 3,600 participants — had either a heart attack or stroke, had surgery to fix a narrowed or blocked artery, or died from heart disease over the 30-year follow-up period.
Coronary CT angiography (CTA or CCTA) is the use of computed tomography (CT) angiography to assess the coronary arteries of the heart.The patient receives an intravenous injection of radiocontrast and then the heart is scanned using a high speed CT scanner, allowing physicians to assess the extent of occlusion in the coronary arteries, usually in order to diagnose coronary artery disease.
Chest tube have an end hole (proximal, toward the patient) and a series of side holes. The number of side holes is generally 6 on most chest tubes. The length of tube that has side holes is the effective drainage length (EDL). In chest tubes designed for pediatric heart surgery, the EDL is shorter, generally by only having 4 side holes. [17]
Pericardial window may be used to treat pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. [2] [3] It is the most common procedure to treat pericardial effusion, particularly if caused by cancer. [4]