- Treatment of pericardial effusion
- Cause of pericardial effusion
- Symptoms of pericardial effusion
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Pericardial effusion consists of the accumulation of liquid, which may be plasma or blood, in the membrane surrounding the heart, which can cause cardiac tamponade, which is a serious situation that can lead to death.
Pericardial effusion can be cured if its diagnosis and treatment are performed early to prevent fatal complications to the heart.
Treatment of pericardial effusion
The treatment of pericardial effusion depends on the cause of the stroke, the amount of fluid accumulated and the consequence it can bring to the functioning of the heart.
In mild pericardial effusion, there is no impairment of cardiac function. Treatment consists of using medications such as aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or corticosteroids such as prednisolone, which reduce inflammation and symptoms of the disease.
However, if there is a risk of heart problems, it may be necessary to withdraw this liquid through:
- Pericardiocentesis: procedure that involves the introduction of a needle and a catheter into the pericardial space to drain the accumulated fluid; Surgery: used to drain the fluid and repair lesions in the pericardium that cause the stroke; Pericardiectomy: consists of the removal, through surgery, of a part or all of the pericardium, used mainly in the treatment of recurrent pericardial effusions.
The cardiologist is the specialist indicated for the diagnosis and treatment of pericardial effusion.
Cause of pericardial effusion
The cause of pericardial effusion is often related to pericarditis because the effusion is usually a consequence of this inflammation in the heart's membranes. Some causes that can lead to this inflammation are:
- Bacterial, viral or fungal infections; Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus; Accumulation of urea in the blood as a result of kidney failure; Hypothyroidism; Lung, breast or leukemia cancer metastases; Heart cancer; Heart injury or trauma; Acute infarction medications for high blood pressure such as hydralazine.
Identifying the cause is important for treatment, and therefore, during diagnosis the doctor may order tests.
Symptoms of pericardial effusion
The symptoms of pericardial effusion vary according to the severity of the disease and the amount of fluid accumulated in the pericardial space, which can be:
- Difficulty breathing; Worsening tiredness when lying down; Chest pain, usually behind the sternum or on the left side of the chest; Cough; Low fever; Increased heart rate.
The diagnosis of pericardial effusion can be made through physical examination through cardiac auscultation, observation of symptoms, and can be confirmed through tests such as chest x-ray, electrocardiogram or echocardiogram.
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