Pericardial Effusion

Pericardial effusion is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the

pericardium

. Pericardial effusion is typically caused following inflammation of the pericardium, following certain infections or after taking certain drugs, and it could also be secondary to other disorders.
Excessive accumulation of fluid in the pericardium can lead to

cardiac tamponade

 which is a serious condition.
Symptoms

Difficulty breathing

  • Occurs or worsens with exertion

  • Rapidly developing

common

Fatigue

common

Cough with mucus or without mucus

  • Dry

common

Irregular heartbeat

common

Rapid heart rate

common

Chest discomfort

  • Occurs or worsens with exertion

  • Center of the chest, Left side

Fainting

or Dizziness

Swollen neck vein

Risk factors

Recent upper respiratory tract infection

or Pericarditis

History of cardiac surgery

History of heart attack

Polyarteritis Nodosa

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Breast cancer

or Kidney cancer

or Lung cancer

Kidney failure or on dialysis

Recent chest injury or trauma

Radiation therapy

  • Chest

or Chemotherapy

Treatment
A severe pericardial effusion may need to be drained. The fluid is drained with a procedure called pericardiocentesis. This procedure uses a needle and a thin, flexible tube (catheter) to drain the fluid. In some cases, the pericardial sac may be drained during surgery.
Recommended specialist

If you have Pericardial Effusion, then a visit to a cardiologist is highly recommended.

Contact a

Cardiologist

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