TY - JOUR
T1 - Percutaneous pericardiocentesis versus subxiphoid pericardiotomy in cardiac tamponade due to postoperative pericardial effusion
AU - Susini, Giuseppe
AU - Pepi, Mauro
AU - Sisillo, Erminio
AU - Bortone, Franco
AU - Salvi, Luca
AU - Barbier, Paolo
AU - Fiorentini, Cesare
PY - 1993
Y1 - 1993
N2 - In a retrospective study, 42 patients with acute cardiac tamponade due to pericardial effusion were evaluated following cardiac surgery, and the pericardial fluid was drained by one of two alternative methods: two-dimensional echocardiographic-guided pericardiocentesis (2D-echo) or subxiphoid surgical pericardiotomy. During the first period (from 1982 to 1986), one of the two methods was chosen by the treating physicians, whereas in the second period (from 1986 to 1991), 2D-echo-guided pericardiocentesis was the treatment of choice. Percutaneous pericardiocentesis was performed using local anesthesia in 29 patients. A Tuohy needle was inserted at the left Apho-costal junction and, when fluid was obtained, 6 mL of saline solution was injected during 2D-echo contrast monitoring, and a multiple-hole, 6F, 30-cm catheter was inserted by means of a guidewire and positioned into the posterior pericardium, as near as possible to the atrioventricular groove. Complete drainage of pericardial fluid by percutaneous pericardiocentesis was obtained in 26 patients (89%). This procedure also allowed the evacuation of posterior and loculated effusions. Complications included two right ventricular punctures, which were immediately recognized by 2Decho contrast and produced no serious consequences. Sixteen patients who underwent surgical pericardiotomy had complete evacuation of pericardial fluid without major complications (two of them suffered atrial arrhythmias during the procedure). The average amount of fluid drained, as well as the localization of the effusions, were the same for both groups. 2D-echo-guided pericardiocentesis was found to be a useful, safe, and simple technique. It can be used as an alternative treatment to subxiphoid pericardiotomy for cardiac tamponade due to postoperative pericardial effusions.
AB - In a retrospective study, 42 patients with acute cardiac tamponade due to pericardial effusion were evaluated following cardiac surgery, and the pericardial fluid was drained by one of two alternative methods: two-dimensional echocardiographic-guided pericardiocentesis (2D-echo) or subxiphoid surgical pericardiotomy. During the first period (from 1982 to 1986), one of the two methods was chosen by the treating physicians, whereas in the second period (from 1986 to 1991), 2D-echo-guided pericardiocentesis was the treatment of choice. Percutaneous pericardiocentesis was performed using local anesthesia in 29 patients. A Tuohy needle was inserted at the left Apho-costal junction and, when fluid was obtained, 6 mL of saline solution was injected during 2D-echo contrast monitoring, and a multiple-hole, 6F, 30-cm catheter was inserted by means of a guidewire and positioned into the posterior pericardium, as near as possible to the atrioventricular groove. Complete drainage of pericardial fluid by percutaneous pericardiocentesis was obtained in 26 patients (89%). This procedure also allowed the evacuation of posterior and loculated effusions. Complications included two right ventricular punctures, which were immediately recognized by 2Decho contrast and produced no serious consequences. Sixteen patients who underwent surgical pericardiotomy had complete evacuation of pericardial fluid without major complications (two of them suffered atrial arrhythmias during the procedure). The average amount of fluid drained, as well as the localization of the effusions, were the same for both groups. 2D-echo-guided pericardiocentesis was found to be a useful, safe, and simple technique. It can be used as an alternative treatment to subxiphoid pericardiotomy for cardiac tamponade due to postoperative pericardial effusions.
KW - cardiac tamponade
KW - pericardial effusion
KW - pericardiocentesis
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0027530183&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0027530183&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/1053-0770(93)90213-5
DO - 10.1016/1053-0770(93)90213-5
M3 - Article
C2 - 8477023
AN - SCOPUS:0027530183
VL - 7
SP - 178
EP - 183
JO - Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia
JF - Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia
SN - 1053-0770
IS - 2
ER -