![]() Out of all the numerous causes of pericardial effusion, some of the leading causes are inflammatory, infectious, neoplastic and traumatic. Pericardial effusions can be found in all populations worldwide but the predominant etiology has changed over time, varying depending on the age, location, and comorbidities of the population in question. Causes Īny process that leads to injury or inflammation of the pericardium and/or inhibits appropriate lymphatic drainage of the fluid from the pericardial cavity leads to fluid accumulation. Some examples are nausea and abdominal fullness, dysphagia and hiccups, due to compression of stomach, esophagus, and phrenic nerve respectively. Non-cardiac symptoms may also present due to the enlarging pericardial effusion compressing nearby structures. This causes a type of shock, called obstructive shock, which can lead to organ damage. Yet others with cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening complication, may present with dyspnea, low blood pressure, weakness, restlessness, hyperventilation (rapid breathing), discomfort with laying flat, dizziness, syncope or even loss of consciousness. Others with larger effusions may present with chest pressure or pain, dyspnea, shortness of breath, and malaise (a general feeling of discomfort or illness). Some people may be asymptomatic and the effusion may be an incidental finding on an examination. Pericardial effusion presentation varies from person to person depending on the size, acuity and underlying cause of the effusion. Pericardiocentesis may be diagnostic as well as therapeutic (form of treatment). Echocardiogram, CT and MRI are the most common methods of diagnosis, although chest X-ray and EKG are also often performed. Important etiologies of pericardial effusions are inflammatory and infectious ( pericarditis), neoplastic, traumatic, and metabolic causes. Some of the presenting symptoms are shortness of breath, chest pressure/pain, and malaise. If large enough, it can compress the heart, causing cardiac tamponade and obstructive shock. īy definition, a pericardial effusion occurs when the volume of fluid in the cavity exceeds the normal limit. The pericardium, specifically the pericardial fluid provides lubrication, maintains the anatomic position of the heart in the chest, and also serves as a barrier to protect the heart from infection and inflammation in adjacent tissues and organs. The fluid is normally 15-50 mL in volume. This pericardial space contains a small amount of pericardial fluid. The two layers of the serous membrane enclose the pericardial cavity (the potential space) between them. ![]() The pericardium is a two-part membrane surrounding the heart: the outer fibrous connective membrane and an inner two-layered serous membrane. ![]() The "swinging" heart.Ī pericardial effusion is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity. A 2D echo transthoracic echocardiogram of pericardial effusion.
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