The new choice of pericardiocentesis route for percutaneous indwelling catheter drainage in patients with pericardial effusion / 中国介入心脏病学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of percutaneous pericardial drainage with indwelling catheter via the puncturing route of left sternal broader in the third or fourth interspace Methods In the 38 patients with moderate to large pericardial effusion, the pericardial echo free space and the forecasted puncturing distance were measured with two dimensinal echocardiolgraphy (2DE) prior to pericardiocentesis in the three sites subxiphoid, cardiac apex and the left sternal broader in the third or fourth interspace Under the guidance of 2DE, pigtail catheters were percutaneously indwelled for pericardial drainage via the location of left sternal broader in the third or fourth interspace Results Among the three sites, there were no difference of echo free space measured by 2DE, and the forecasted distance of advancing needle examined in left sternal broader was the smallest The procedures of indwelling catheter drainage for pericardial effusion were successfully performed in all the 38 patients Catheters lying in posterior pericardium were found in 94 8% of the patients (36/38) There were no cases with puncturing related complications, effusion leaking into pleurum or subcutaneous tissue Only 1 case was complicated with neural mediated syncope on the third day after indwelling catheter Conclusion Pericardiocentesis using left sternal broader route is a safe and simple approach for indwelling catheter drainage in patients with pericardial effusion This route may be a promising option for clinical use widely