PERICARDIAL PUNCTURE: WHEN AND HOW?

Pericardial effusion is a very common condition, due to the accumulation of fluid in the pericardial cavity (the impact depends on the volume, rate of accumulation and elasticity of the pericardium), it results in a: 1. Increased intrapericardial pressure. 2. Increase in intracardiac pressure 3. Decrease in ventricular filling 4. Decrease in ejection volume 5. Decrease in cardiac output The etiologies of effusions are diverse. Tamponade requires emergency decompression of the pericardium to achieve hemodynamic stabilization. Two techniques are possible, either percutaneous puncture with or without ultrasound guidance, or surgical drainage. The choice of drainage method depends on the medical-surgical teams, their experience with each method and the etiology.