HOW DO THE CLINICAL FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH PERICARDIAL-EFFUSIONS INFLUENCE THE SUCCESS OF ASPIRATION

Objective-To identify features associated with success or failure of a spiration of pericardial effusion. Method-A retrospective analysis of 36 drainage procedures in 30 patients with pericardial effusion was pe rformed using patient records and echocardiograms. Results-Unsuccessfu l aspiration was associated with pericardial loculation but not with t he seniority of the operator or the size and position of the effusion. Pericardiocentesis relieved symptoms of breathlessness in 21 of 26 pa tients who had a pericardial effusion suspected of causing dyspnoea. T hese 21 patients had few clinical or echocardiographic signs of classi c tamponade. Conclusion-The paucity of abnormal physical or echocardio graphic signs of tamponade in breathless patients with pericardial eff usion does not exclude symptomatic benefit being derived from pericard iocentesis. Pericardial aspiration is safe in appropriate although asp iration of loculated effusions may not be as successful as aspiration of non-loculated effusions.