Pericardiectomy for uremic tamponade.

Pericardial tamponade developed in 29 patients with uremia. The clinical presentation varied, some patients having no symptoms whereas others sustained circulatory collapse. Pericardial friction rub, elevated central venous pressure and a paradoxical pulse were the most common physical findings. Serial chest radiography and echocardiography were most useful procedures in confirming this diagnosis. Two patients were treated conservatively and died despite repeated pericardiocentesis. The remaining 27 patients underwent partial pericardiectomy. One patient died of cardiorespiratory failure and a second from brain damage related to cardiac arrest before pericardiectomy. The other 25 patients reported immediate relief of symptoms and no recurrence of pericarditis. Pericardiectomy is the treatment of choice in uremic pericardial tamponade.