PERICARDIOCENTESIS AND DRAINAGE BY A SILICON RUBBER LINE WITHOUT ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC GUIDANCE - EXPERIENCE IN 55 CONSECUTIVE PATIENTS

Pericardiocentesis and drainage with a silicon rubber line were perfor med safely in 55 patients via the subxiphoid (80 times) or apical (1 t ime) approach at the bedside without echocardiographic guidance. The s ubxiphoid approach, which is close to the posterior of the sternum or the costal cartilage with a small acute-angle (15-30-degrees) to the p arietal pericardium in front of the right ventricle, can avoid injurin g the heart, liver and lungs. A line with sideholes near the distal en d, which provides convenient drainage and has better histocompatibilit y, can be kept in place for a long period of time (1-82 days). It was also convenient to inject air, drugs or fluid through the line. There were no procedure-related serious complications or deaths. Emergency d rainage with the Seldinger technique, especially for small to moderate effusions, is safe and simple.