Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy in the treatment of malignant pericardial effusion.

Recurrent pericardial effusion can be a manifestation of metastatic malignant disease. Repeated catheter drainage or surgical pericardial window are two common treatment modalities. We report a case of recurrent malignant pericardial effusion treated successfully with percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy, a relatively new technique avoiding the need for surgery.