If your pericardial effusion is discovered as a result of a heart attack or another emergency, you won't have time to prepare for your appointment. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic Preparing for your appointment If pericardial effusions continue to occur despite drainage procedures, a surgeon may recommend removing all or part of the pericardium. Removal of the pericardium (pericardiectomy).Sometimes, a surgeon may create a passageway that allows fluid to drain as needed into the abdominal cavity, where it can be absorbed. If there's bleeding into the pericardium, especially due to recent heart surgery or other complicating factors, open-heart surgery may be done to drain the pericardium and repair any damage. The catheter is taken out when all the fluid has drained and isn't re-accumulating. Usually, the catheter is left in place to drain the pericardial space for a few days to help prevent future fluid buildup. Imaging techniques, typically echocardiography, are used to guide the work. A health care provider uses a needle to enter the pericardial space and then inserts a small tube (catheter) to drain the fluid. A large effusion is causing symptoms and increasing the risk of cardiac tamponadeĭrainage procedures or surgery to treat pericardial effusion may include:.Medications don't correct the pericardial effusion.Your health care provider may recommend procedures to drain a pericardial effusion or prevent future fluid buildup if: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others).If you don't have cardiac tamponade or there's no immediate threat of cardiac tamponade, your health care provider might prescribe one of the following medications to treat inflammation of the pericardium: The presence or risk of cardiac tamponade.Treatment for pericardial effusion depends on: However, pericardial effusion may be diagnosed when these tests are done for other reasons. A chest X-ray can show signs of an enlarged heart if the effusion is large.ĬT and MRI scans can detect pericardial effusion, although they're generally not used to look for the condition. An X-ray image of the chest allows a health care provider to check the size and shape of the heart. Your cardiologist or another health care provider can look for signal patterns that suggest cardiac tamponade. Wires connect the electrodes to a computer, which displays the test results. Sticky patches (electrodes) are placed on the chest and sometimes the arms and legs. This quick and painless test measures the electrical activity of the heart. An echocardiogram may also show decreased heart function due to pressure on the heart (tamponade). The test can help determine the amount of fluid between the two layers of the pericardium. An echocardiogram shows the heart chambers and how well the heart is pumping blood. Sound waves are used to create pictures of the heart in motion. Tests to diagnose or confirm pericardial effusion may include:
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