OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and clinical outcome and technique of CT-guided pericardiocenteses in the treatment of pericardial effusions in adults and children. METHODS: 20 drainages were performed in Seldinger-technique under CT-guidance on 20 patients suffering from pericardial effusions and haematomas. In 85%, the etiology of effusion was postoperative. The mean age of the patients was 59 years (minimum 9 years, maximum 86 years).There were 12 male and eight female patients. The inclusion criterion was an echocardiographically relevant proved pericardial effusion. RESULTS: All catheters could be placed successfully (20/20) in the pericardial effusion and allowed for draining of the effusion in all cases under CT-guidance. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 0%. CT-guided pericardiocentesis was successful for withdrawing pericardial fluid and/or relieving tamponade in 100% of all procedures. No major complication was occurred. A total of one minor complication (5%) occurred that required no specific interventions, except for monitoring and appropriate follow-up. We observed one pneumothorax as a minor complication. CONCLUSIONS: Pericardial effusions of various causes can be safely, effectively, and quickly managed with CT-guided pericardiocenteses in adults and children. The ventrolateral entry side for the puncture should be preferred to reach the whole effusion and avoid complications, like a pneumothorax. Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness and clinical outcome and technique of CT-guided pericardiocenteses in the treatment of pericardial effusions in adults and children. METHODS: 20 drainages were performed in Seldinger-technique under CT-guidance on 20 patients suffering from pericardial effusions and haematomas. In 85%, the etiology of effusion was postoperative. The mean age of the patients was 59 years (minimum 9 years, maximum 86 years).There were 12 male and eight female patients. The inclusion criterion was an echocardiographically relevant proved pericardial effusion. RESULTS: All catheters could be placed successfully (20/20) in the pericardial effusion and allowed for draining of the effusion in all cases under CT-guidance. The overall 30-day mortality rate was 0%. CT-guided pericardiocentesis was successful for withdrawing pericardial fluid and/or relieving tamponade in 100% of all procedures. No major complication was occurred. A total of one minor complication (5%) occurred that required no specific interventions, except for monitoring and appropriate follow-up. We observed one pneumothorax as a minor complication. CONCLUSIONS:Pericardial effusions of various causes can be safely, effectively, and quickly managed with CT-guided pericardiocenteses in adults and children. The ventrolateral entry side for the puncture should be preferred to reach the whole effusion and avoid complications, like a pneumothorax. Copyright 2010. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.
Authors: Eduardo M Vilela; Catarina Ruivo; Claudio E Guerreiro; Marisa P Silva; Ricardo Ladeiras-Lopes; Daniel Caeiro; Gustavo P Morais; João Primo; Pedro Braga; Nuno Ferreira; José Pedro L Nunes; Vasco Gama Ribeiro Journal: Ther Adv Cardiovasc Dis Date: 2018-08-15