Pericardial effusion
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| Pericardial effusion | |
|---|---|
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| Synonyms | N/A |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Chest pain, shortness of breath, cough, fatigue |
| Complications | Cardiac tamponade, constrictive pericarditis |
| Onset | Gradual or sudden |
| Duration | Variable |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Infection, inflammation, trauma, cancer, autoimmune disease |
| Risks | Heart surgery, kidney failure, hypothyroidism |
| Diagnosis | Echocardiogram, chest X-ray, CT scan, MRI |
| Differential diagnosis | Heart failure, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Pericardiocentesis, anti-inflammatory medication, surgery |
| Medication | N/A |
| Prognosis | Depends on underlying cause |
| Frequency | Common |
| Deaths | N/A |
Pericardial effusion is fluid buildup inside of the pericardium, affecting the performance of the heart.
Pathophysiology
- In pericardial effusion, there is extra fluid collects between the heart and the pericardium (the sac around the heart).
- The extra fluid causes pressure on the heart.
- This keeps it from pumping blood normally.
- Lymph vessels may also be blocked, which can cause infection.
Causes
Pericardial effusions may be caused by cancer or cancer treatment, infection, injury, autoimmune disorders, thyroid disease or kidney problems etc.
Symptoms
Symptoms of pericardial effusion include chest pain, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. Fever is a common symptom of acute pericarditis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis was with physical exam, imaging tests, and heart tests such as echocardiography to make a diagnosis.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause and may involve pericardiocentesis
Complications
If the pericardial effusion is severe, it can lead to a life threatening emergency called cardiac tamponade where the heart is compressed due to pressure of the fluid in the pericardial sac. Immediate medical attention is required in thi case.
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External links
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