The clinical value of P-wave terminal force in lead V1 in evaluating pericardial thickness in tuberculous constrictive pericarditis.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between p wave terminal force (Ptfv1) and pericardial thickness in patients with tuberculous constrictive pericarditis. METHODS: From January 2018 to October 2022, 95 patients with tuberculous constrictive pericarditis who needed pericarditis dissection in a hospital were collected, and 3 patients who did not meet the criteria were excluded, a total of 92 cases. The absolute value of Ptfv1 in conventional electrocardiogram was tested before surgery, and pericardial thickness was measured by echocardiography and chest CT. Pericardial thickness was measured after pericardial dissection. Pearson correlation analysis was used, R software was used to make scatter plot, and non-parametric square test was used. The correlation of postoperative measurements with echocardiography, chest CT and absolute value of Ptfv1 was analyzed. RESULTS: Pearson correlation analysis was conducted with postoperative measurements and echocardiography measurements, postoperative measurements and chest CT measurements, and postoperative measurements and absolute value of Ptfv1. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the correlation coefficients between postoperative measurements and echocardiography, chest CT and Ptfv1 values were statistically significant. Scatter plot and nonparametric Chi-square test showed that postoperative measurements were consistent with absolute values of echocardiography, chest CT and Ptfv1 (p < 0.05). And this study found that the distribution of the value of Ptfv1 ≥ 5 was higher than the value of Ptfv1 < 5 after pericardiectomy (0.95:0.05) in the absolute value of Ptfv1 ≥ 0.04 which measured before pericardiectomy. The hypothesis was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The absolute value of Ptfv1 in electrocardiogram can be used as an auxiliary diagnostic index to evaluate pericardial thickness in tuberculous constrictive pericarditis.

The optimal duration of anti-tuberculous therapy before pericardiectomy in constrictive tuberculous pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear about the duration of anti-tuberculous therapy before pericardiectomy (DATT) in the patients with constrictive tuberculous pericarditis. This study aims to explore the optimal DATT and its impact on surgical outcomes in these patients. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 93 patients with constrictive tuberculous pericarditis undergoing pericardiectomy and divided them into two groups according to the optimal cutoff value of DATT which was determined by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and Youden Index. Postoperative and survival outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The optimal cutoff value of DATT was 1.05 (months). The enrolled patients were divided into the DATT ≤ 1.05 group and the DATT > 1.05 group, with 24 (25.8%) and 69 (74.2%) cases, respectively. Comparing with the DATT ≤ 1.05 group, the DATT > 1.05 group had shorter postoperative ICU stay (P = 0.023), duration of chest drainage (P = 0.002), postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.001) and lower incidence of postoperative complications (P < 0.001). There were no statistical differences between the two groups in recurrence and survival outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: It would be of potential benefit to enhance recovery after pericardiectomy if DATT lasted for at least 1 month in the patients with constrictive tuberculous pericarditis.

Predictors of postoperative complication and prolonged intensive care unit stay after complete pericardiectomy in tuberculous constrictive pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: The risk factors of postoperative outcomes after pericardiectomy in tuberculous constrictive pericarditis have still been unclear. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of postoperative complication and prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay in the patients with tuberculous constrictive pericarditis undergoing pericardiectomy. METHODS: A total of 88 patients with tuberculous constrictive pericarditis undergoing pericardiectomy were retrospectively enrolled. Logistic regression and Cox regression analysis were performed to identify the predictors of postoperative complication and prolonged ICU stay, respectively. RESULTS: All patients underwent complete pericardiectomy and 35 (39.8%) had postoperative complication with no mortality within 30 days after surgery and no in-hospital deaths. Postoperative complication prolonged postoperative ICU stay (P < 0.001), duration of chest drainage (P < 0.001) and postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.001). Preoperative NYHA functional class (P = 0.004, OR 4.051, 95%CI 1.558-10.533) and preoperative central venous pressure (CVP) (P = 0.031, OR 1.151, 95%CI 1.013-1.309) were independent risk factors of postoperative complication. Postoperative complication (P < 0.001, HR 4.132, 95%CI 2.217-7.692) was the independent risk factor for prolonged ICU stay. CONCLUSION: Complete pericardiectomy was associated with high risk of postoperative complication in tuberculous constrictive pericarditis. Poor preoperative NYHA functional class and high preoperative CVP were shown to predict postoperative complication which was the predictor of prolonged ICU stay.

A case report of a child with probable drug resistant tuberculous pericarditis with a review of challenges involved in diagnosis, treatment and follow up of children with DR-TB pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: There are unique challenges in the diagnosis and management of multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) in children. It is difficult to obtain confirmatory microbiological diagnosis in TB pericarditis. It is essential to differentiate between drug sensitive and drug resistant forms of TB as it has a major bearing on the regimen used, and inappropriate TB treatment combined with steroid use for pericarditis can lead to deterioration. With lack of samples, the treatment decision relies on the drug resistance pattern of the close contact if available. Therapeutic challenges of MDR-TB management in a child involve use of toxic drugs that need to be judiciously handled. We report a 2 years 4 months old male child who was diagnosed with TB pericarditis and treated based on the resistance pattern of his mother who was on treatment for pulmonary MDR-TB. CASE PRESENTATION: This 2 years 4 months old male child was diagnosed with TB involving his pericardium. Getting him started on an appropriate regimen was delayed due to the difficulty in establishing microbiological confirmation and drug susceptibility. He was commenced on a regimen based on his mother's drug resistance pattern and required surgery due to cardiac failure during the course of his treatment. He successfully completed 2 years of therapy. CONCLUSIONS: This child's case demonstrates that despite unique challenges in diagnosis and management of drug resistant extra pulmonary tuberculosis in children, treatment of even complex forms can be successful. The need for high suspicion of MDR-TB, especially when there is close contact with pulmonary TB, careful design of an effective regimen that is tolerated by the child, indications for invasive surgical management of pericarditis, appropriate follow-up and management of adverse effects are emphasised.

The effects of HIV/AIDS on the clinical profile and outcomes post pericardiectomy of patients with constrictive pericarditis: a retrospective review.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical profile and surgical outcomes of patients with constrictive pericarditis were compared in HIV-positive and -negative individuals. METHODS: This study was a retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with constrictive pericarditis at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital, Durban, over a 10-year period (2004-2014). RESULTS: Of 83 patients with constrictive pericarditis, 32 (38.1%) were HIV positive. Except for pericardial calcification, which was more common in HIV-negative subjects (n = 15, 29.4% vs n = 2, 6.3%; p = 0.011), the clinical profile was similar in the two groups. Fourteen patients died preoperatively (16.9%) and three died peri-operatively (5.8%). On multivariable analysis, age (OR 1.17; 95% CI: 1.03-1.34; p = 0.02), serum albumin level (OR 0.63; 95% CI: 0.43-0.92; p = 0.016), gamma glutamyl transferase level (OR 0.97; 95% CI: 0.94-0.1.0; p = 0.034) and pulmonary artery pressure (OR 1.49; 95% CI: 1.07-2.08; p = 0.018) emerged as independent predictors of pre-operative mortality rate. Peri-operative complications occurred more frequently in HIV-positive patients [9 (45%) vs 6 (17.6%); p = 0.030]. CONCLUSIONS: Without surgery, tuberculous constrictive pericarditis was associated with a high mortality rate. Although peri-operative complications occurred more frequently, surgery was not associated with increased mortality rates in HIV-positive subjects.

Anterior Pericardiectomy for Postinfective Constrictive Pericarditis: Intermediate-Term Outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Posttubercular constrictive pericarditis is prevalent pericardial disease in developing countries. Pericardiectomy is the treatment of choice but considered a procedure of high morbidity and mortality. METHODS: From January 2003 to December 2013 we performed 130 pericardiectomies. The patients' mean age was 22.95 ± 12.55 years, and there were 92 (71%) male patients. All patients were symptomatic; 118 (91%) were in New York Heart Association functional class III or IV. Almost all patients were diagnosed to be of tubercular origin: 14 (11%) were histopathologically proven, 77 (59%) had definitive history, 39 (30%) were suspected to be of tubercular origin, and 91 (70%) received prior antitubercular treatment. RESULTS: Anterior pericardiectomy was done without the use but with provision for cardiopulmonary bypass, which was required in 5 (3.8%) patients for repair of tear in right atrium. Following pericardiectomy central venous pressure dropped from 20.9 to 10.8 mm Hg. Early mortality was 10 (7.69%). Prolonged ventilation was required in 22 (16.92%) patients, 31 (23.84%) developed renal dysfunction, and there were 3 (3.12%) cases of new-onset atrial fibrillation. On analysis of univariate predictors for early mortality, low ejection fraction (p < 0.001) and preoperative atrial fibrillation (p < 0.001) were found to be significant. In a follow-up of 12 months, 85% patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II with mean ejection fraction of 52%. There was no recurrence of constriction from residual pericardium on 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior pericardiectomy is sufficient in patients with constrictive pericarditis of infective etiology. Preoperative low ejection fraction, atrial fibrillation, poor functional class, and constrictive effusive pericarditis results in poor surgical outcome.

Interventions for treating tuberculous pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: Tuberculous pericarditis can impair the heart's function and cause death; long term, it can cause the membrane to fibrose and constrict causing heart failure. In addition to antituberculous chemotherapy, treatments include corticosteroids, drainage, and surgery. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of treatments for tuberculous pericarditis. SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group Specialized Register (27 March 2017); the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), published in the Cochrane Library (2017, Issue 2); MEDLINE (1966 to 27 March 2017); Embase (1974 to 27 March 2017); and LILACS (1982 to 27 March 2017). In addition we searched the metaRegister of Controlled Trials (mRCT) and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) search portal using 'tuberculosis' and 'pericard*' as search terms on 27 March 2017. We searched ClinicalTrials.gov and contacted researchers in the field of tuberculous pericarditis. This is a new version of the original 2002 review. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors independently screened search outputs, evaluated study eligibility, assessed risk of bias, and extracted data; and we resolved any discrepancies by discussion and consensus. One trial assessed the effects of both corticosteroid and Mycobacterium indicus pranii treatment in a two-by-two factorial design; we excluded data from the group that received both interventions. We conducted fixed-effect meta-analysis and assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS: Seven trials met the inclusion criteria; all were from sub-Saharan Africa and included 1959 participants, with 1051/1959 (54%) HIV-positive. All trials evaluated corticosteroids and one each evaluated colchicine, M. indicus pranii immunotherapy, and open surgical drainage. Four trials (1841 participants) were at low risk of bias, and three trials (118 participants) were at high risk of bias.In people who are not infected with HIV, corticosteroids may reduce deaths from all causes (risk ratio (RR) 0.80, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.59 to 1.09; 660 participants, 4 trials, low certainty evidence) and the need for repeat pericardiocentesis (RR 0.85, 95% CI 0.70 to 1.04; 492 participants, 2 trials, low certainty evidence). Corticosteroids probably reduce deaths from pericarditis (RR 0.39, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.80; 660 participants, 4 trials, moderate certainty evidence). However, we do not know whether or not corticosteroids have an effect on constriction or cancer among HIV-negative people (very low certainty evidence).In people living with HIV, only 19.9% (203/1959) were on antiretroviral drugs. Corticosteroids may reduce constriction (RR 0.55, 0.26 to 1.16; 575 participants, 3 trials, low certainty evidence). It is uncertain whether corticosteroids have an effect on all-cause death or cancer (very low certainty evidence); and may have little or no effect on repeat pericardiocentesis (RR 1.02, 0.89 to 1.18; 517 participants, 2 trials, low certainty evidence).For colchicine among people living with HIV, we found one small trial (33 participants) which had insufficient data to make any conclusions about any effects on death or constrictive pericarditis.Irrespective of HIV status, due to very low certainty evidence from one trial, it is uncertain whether adding M. indicus pranii immunotherapy to antituberculous drugs has an effect on any outcome.Open surgical drainage for effusion may reduce repeat pericardiocentesis In HIV-negative people (RR 0.23, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.76; 122 participants, 1 trial, low certainty evidence) but may make little or no difference to other outcomes. We did not find an eligible trial that assessed the effects of open surgical drainage in people living with HIV.The review authors found no eligible trials that examined the length of antituberculous treatment needed nor the effects of other adjunctive treatments for tuberculous pericarditis. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: For HIV-negative patients, corticosteroids may reduce death. For HIV-positive patients not on antiretroviral drugs, corticosteroids may reduce constriction. For HIV-positive patients with good antiretroviral drug viral suppression, clinicians may consider the results from HIV-negative patients more relevant.Further research may help evaluate percutaneous drainage of the pericardium under local anaesthesia, the timing of pericardiectomy in tuberculous constrictive pericarditis, and new antibiotic regimens.

Major vessel venous thrombosis in patients of posttubercular chronic constrictive pericarditis undergoing pericardectomy: A rare scenario.

We are reporting two cases of neck and arm major venous thrombosis in patients of posttubercular chronic constrictive pericarditis posted for pericardectomy. There was unanticipated difficulty in placement of Internal Jugular vein catheter and subsequent ultrasound revealed thrombosis in the major veins. It was not diagnosed in the preoperative period. This report raises this major complication and highlights the use of ultrasound in such scenarios.

Clinical observation on pericardiocentesis and glucocorticoid in the treatment of tuberculous pericarditis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate peri-cardiocentesis and glucocorticoids in the treat-ment of the clinical curative effect of tubercu-lous pericarditis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Choose 128 cases of our hospital diagnosed as tuberculous peri-carditis patients as the research object, accord-ing to the treatment, were divided into group A (pericardium puncture + anti-tuberculosis (an-ti-TB) treatment of 26 cases) and group B (peri-cardium puncture +anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) + glucocorticoid treatment of 30 cases), group C (anti-tuberculosis (anti-TB) + glucocorticoid therapy of 24 cases, and group D anti-tuberculo-sis (anti-TB) treatment of 48 cases, in the treat-ment of 8 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months by B ultrasonic and CT ex-amination to observe the efficacy of treatment. RESULTS: At 8 weeks after treatment in group A, group B and group C and group D efficient were 61.54%, 93.33%, 54.17%, and 68.75%, respective-ly, group B, respectively, compared with group A, group C, and group D, had obvious statistical sig-nificance difference (p < 0.05); Groups of early and late treatment comparison difference have no sta-tistical significance (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Tuberculous pericarditis in anti-TB treatment on the basis of using pericar-diocentesis and sugar cortical hormone treat-ment, can achieve an ideal effect.

Tuberculous constrictive pericarditis and atrial septal defect: Surgical challenge.

Tuberculous constrictive pericarditis with atrial septal defect is very rare. A 23-year-old man required pericardiectomy and atrial septal defect closure under cardiopulmonary bypass by cannulating the aorta and right atrium because femoral cannulation was not possible and the venae cavae could not be visualized. He was discharged in a satisfactory condition on the 15th postoperative day, but returned one month later with swelling all over his body and dyspnea on exertion. Echocardiography showed atrial septal defect patch dehiscence and a bidirectional shunt with a collection or mass compressing the right ventricle. Subxiphoid exploration was carried out, and the swelling subsided.

Non-surgical treatment of a right ventricle puncture during diagnostic pericardiocentesis.

Pericardiocentesis is a life-saving procedure performed in cardiac tamponade cases occurring in infective, inflammatory or malignancy conditions, or following percutaneous coronary intervention, cardiac device implantation or catheter ablation. In spite of advanced imaging methods, a substantial risk of complication persists. Emergent surgical intervention may be required, in particular during advancement of the catheter into the heart chambers or in cases of wall rupture. Furthermore, in all these cases, patients have a high risk of surgery because of existing comorbidities. This case presents a patient suspected of tuberculous pericarditis who underwent diagnostic pericardiocentesis complicated by right ventricular puncture. The catheter in the right ventricle was withdrawn via a second catheter placed in the pericardial cavity. Spontaneous blood control was established, and with no increase in pericardial effusion surgical intervention was not required. This method can be applied in certain conditions, including cardiac injury caused by pericardiocentesis or intracardiac manipulations, thus eliminating the need for high-risk surgical intervention.

Pericardiectomy in children <15 years of age.

Between January, 2002 and December, 2011, 27 patients (19 boys) underwent pericardiectomy. The mean age was 9.3 ± 4.96 years (range 0.4 to 15 years) and the mean duration of symptoms was 16.9 ± 22.15 months. In all, 25 patients had dyspnoea; eight were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) class IV; six had bacterial pericarditis; and 18 were on anti-tuberculosis treatment, although only nine had records suggesting tuberculosis. There were nine patients who underwent pre-operative pigtail catheter drainage of pericardial fluid. Surgical procedures were complete pericardiectomy (n = 20), partial pericardiectomy (n = 6), and pleuropericardial window (n = 1).The mean pre-operative right atrial pressure was 20.4 ± 4.93 mmHg. There were six hospital deaths due to low cardiac output (n = 5) and arrhythmia (n = 1). The mean intensive care unit stay was 2.7 ± 1.2 days and mean post-operative stay was 9.9 days. The mean right atrial pressure dropped to 8.7 ± 1.15 mmHg. Adverse outcomes defined as death/prolonged intensive care unit stay, prolonged post-operative stay were not associated with sex, diagnosis of tuberculosis or pyopericardium, or the duration of symptoms or pre-operative right atrial pressure. Younger patients had prolonged intensive care unit stay (p = 0.03) but not increased mortality. Advanced NYHA class predicted death (p = 0.02). The mean follow-up was 23.1 ± 23.8 months. All except one survivor are in NYHA class I and off all cardiac medications. Despite adequate surgery, pericardiectomy in children is associated with a high mortality, which is related to delayed surgery and poor pre-operative general condition. No specific pre-operative variable other than worse pre-operative NYHA class is a predictor of survival. Therefore, early pericardiectomy should be undertaken in such patients.

Rationale and design of the Investigation of the Management of Pericarditis (IMPI) trial: a 2 × 2 factorial randomized double-blind multicenter trial of adjunctive prednisolone and Mycobacterium w immunotherapy in tuberculous pericarditis.

BACKGROUND: In spite of antituberculosis chemotherapy, tuberculous (TB) pericarditis causes death or disability in nearly half of those affected. Attenuation of the inflammatory response in TB pericarditis may improve outcome by reducing cardiac tamponade and pericardial constriction, but there is uncertainty as to whether adjunctive immunomodulation with corticosteroids and Mycobacterium w (M. w) can safely reduce mortality and morbidity. OBJECTIVES: The primary objective of the IMPI Trial is to assess the effectiveness and safety of prednisolone and M. w immunotherapy in reducing the composite outcome of death, constriction, or cardiac tamponade requiring pericardial drainage in 1,400 patients with TB pericardial effusion. DESIGN: The IMPI trial is a multicenter international randomized double-blind placebo-controlled 2 × 2 factorial study. Eligible patients are randomly assigned to receive oral prednisolone or placebo for 6 weeks and M. w injection or placebo for 3 months. Patients are followed up at weeks 2, 4, and 6 and months 3 and 6 during the intervention period and 6-monthly thereafter for up to 4 years. The primary outcome is the first occurrence of death, pericardial constriction, or cardiac tamponade requiring pericardiocentesis. The secondary outcome is safety of immunomodulatory treatment measured by effect on opportunistic infections (eg, herpes zoster) and malignancy (eg, Kaposi sarcoma) and impact on measures of immunosuppression and the incidence of immune reconstitution disease. CONCLUSIONS: IMPI is the largest trial yet conducted comparing adjunctive immunotherapy in pericarditis. Its results will define the role of adjunctive corticosteroids and M. w immunotherapy in patients with TB pericardial effusion.

Pericardiectomy vs medical management in patients with relapsing pericarditis.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether surgical pericardiectomy is a safe and effective alternative to medical management for chronic relapsing pericarditis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 184 patients presenting to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, from January 1, 1994, through December 31, 2005, with persistent relapsing pericarditis identified 58 patients who had a pericardiectomy after failed medical management and 126 patients who continued with medical treatment only. The primary outcome variables were in-hospital postoperative mortality or major morbidity, all-cause death, time to relapse, and medication use. RESULTS: Mean ± SD follow-up was 5.5 ± 3.5 years in the surgical group and 5.4 ± 4.4 years in the medical treatment group. At baseline, patients in the surgical group had higher mean relapses (6.9 vs 5.5; P=.01), were more likely to be taking colchicine (43.1% [n=25] vs 18.3% [n=23]; P=.002) and corticosteroids (70.7% [n=41] vs 42.1% [n=53]; P<.001), and were more likely to have undergone a prior pericardiotomy (27.6% [n=16] vs 11.1% [n=14]; P=.003) than the medical treatment group. Perioperative mortality (0%) and major morbidity (3%; n=2) were minimal. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed no differences in all-cause death at follow-up (P=.26); however, the surgical group had a markedly decreased relapse rate compared with the medical treatment group (P=.009). Medication use was notably reduced after pericardiectomy. CONCLUSION: In patients with chronic relapsing pericarditis in whom medical management has failed, surgical pericardiectomy is a safe and effective method of relieving symptoms.

Constrictive pericarditis treated by surgery.

We reviewed the records of 45 patients (mean age, 46.6 ± 14.9 yr; range, 21-84 yr) with a diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis who had undergone pericardiectomy from 1994 through 2006. Preoperatively, 2 of the patients (4.4%) were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class I, 20 (44.4%) in class II, 22 (48.9%) in class III, and 1 (2.2%) in class IV. Pericardial calcification was detected in 20% of plain chest radiographs. Constrictive pericarditis was caused by tuberculosis in 22.2%, chronic renal failure in 8.9%, a history of sternotomy in 4.4%, and malignancy in 4.4%. The cause was idiopathic in 60% of the patients. Low-output state was the most common postoperative problem (22.2%). The mean follow-up period was 40 ± 18 months (range, 3-144 mo). Three months postoperatively, only 1 of 43 available patients (2.3%) was in NYHA class III, while the rest were in class I (36 patients; 83.7%) or II (6 patients; 14%). The overall mortality rate was 4.4%: 1 patient with tuberculosis died of respiratory insufficiency while hospitalized, and 1 died of metastatic adenocarcinoma during follow-up. Our results show that pericardiectomy remains an effective procedure in the treatment of constrictive pericarditis. Tuberculosis is still an important cause of constrictive pericarditis in Iran, despite intensive vaccination and use of antitubercular drugs.

The prevalence and outcome of effusive constrictive pericarditis: a systematic review of the literature.

There is sparse information on the epidemiology of effusive constrictive pericarditis (ECP). The objective of this article was to review and summarise the literature on the prevalence and outcome of ECP, and identify gaps for further research. The prevalence of ECP ranged from 2.4 to 14.8%, with a weighted average of 4.5% [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.2-7.5%]. Sixty-five per cent (95% CI: 43-82%) of patients required pericardiectomy regardless of the aetiology. The combined death rate across the studies was 22% (95(CI: 4-50%). The prevalence of ECP is low in non-tuberculous pericarditis, while pericardiectomy rates are high and mortality is variable. In this review, of 10 patients identified with tuberculous ECP, only one presumed case had a definite diagnosis of ECP. Appropriate studies are needed to determine the epidemiology of ECP in tuberculous pericarditis, which is one of the leading causes of pericardial disease in the world.

Causes of moderate to large pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocentesis in 140 Han Chinese patients.

BACKGROUND: Causes of pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocentesis are very complex; a summary of 140 patients, especially those having iatrogenic pericardial effusion, is rare. METHODS: We prospectively analyzed the clinical data and etiology of moderate to large pericardial effusion requiring pericardiocentesis and drainage in 140 consecutive Han Chinese patients from January 2007 to December 2009. RESULTS: Pericardiocentesis was successfully performed and effective in all patients. There were 9 cases with transudates, while the remaining 131 cases were diagnosed with exudates (neoplastic in 54 patients, tuberculous in 40 patients, 9 cases of connective tissue diseases, 12 cases undergoing cardiac catheterization, and 8 cases of acute myocardial infarction). Among the 54 malignancies, 30 patients had lung cancer, 7 had breast cancer, and 4 had liver cancer. No differences in the clinical characteristics and the results of routine and biochemistry studies in the pericardial fluid between tuberculous and malignant groups were found. Of the 12 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization, 6 cases had undergone catheter ablation for tachycardia and 4 cases had undergone percutaneous coronary intervention. The 6 patients undergoing catheter ablation were women and the ratio of pericardial effusion was higher in women (6/436) than in men (0/462; p<0.05). Pericardiocentesis and drainage was effective in the 6 patients who underwent catheter ablation, and the remaining 6 patients underwent surgical intervention after pericardiocentesis and drainage. All 8 patients with acute myocardial infarction died during hospitalization. CONCLUSION: In China, most moderate to large pericardial effusions requiring pericardiocentesis and drainage were exudates and bloody, which were mainly caused by malignancy and tuberculosis. However, the incidence of iatrogenic pericardial effusion has been increasing and should not be ignored. Pericardiocentesis and drainage were effective.