General Information About Pericardial Effusion
Disease Details and Frequently Asked Questions
It is the pathological increase and pooling of lubricating fluid, which normally exists in very small amounts, between the two-layered sac (pericardial cavity) surrounding the heart to allow it to work comfortably without friction.
Inflammation of the pericardium (Pericarditis), past heart attacks, advanced kidney failure (high urea), an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), tuberculosis, and certain autoimmune disorders trigger fluid accumulation.
If the amount of fluid filling the space between the membrane and the heart increases very quickly and excessively, the heart becomes compressed within the water because the outer membrane cannot stretch. Since the heart cannot expand, it cannot fill with blood and pump blood; this is a highly emergent situation that can drop blood pressure to zero and cause death.
A small amount of fluid generally presents no symptoms. As the fluid increases, chest pain (especially increasing when lying on the back or taking a deep breath), palpitations, shortness of breath, and constant fatigue occur.
When a doctor listens to the heart with a stethoscope, the sounds appear muffled. The thickness of the fluid layer around the heart (in millimeters) is definitively and rapidly measured within seconds using an Echocardiography (ECHO) machine.
If the fluid is minimal and poses no danger, the patient is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs/Colchicine), waiting for the fluid to be reabsorbed naturally. However, if there is a lot of fluid compressing the heart (tamponade), a procedure called 'Pericardiocentesis' is performed: a needle or catheter is inserted through the chest to aspirate (drain) the water around the heart.
Our health library contents are prepared for informational purposes only and with scientific data available at the time of recording. For all your questions, concerns, diagnosis, or treatment regarding your health, please consult your doctor or a healthcare institution.
