CAN PLEURAL EFFUSIONS CAUSE TAMPONADE-LIKE EFFECTS

Experimental studies have confirmed the clinical impression that large bilateral pleural effusions are able to raise the pressure in an othe rwise hemodynamically insignificant pericardial effusion to a level su fficient to produce right ventricular diastolic collapse (RVDC). The h emodynamic consequences of this syndrome are not as severe as when the intrapericardial pressure is raised to the same level by excess intra pericardial fluid in the absence of pleural effusions. RVDC caused by excess pleural fluid with a minor pericardial effusion is a false posi tive indication for pericardial fluid drainage. Thoracentesis is more appropriate.