Mechanism of pericardial window creation by balloon pericardiotomy

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy: efficacy in a series of malignant and nonmalignant cases

OBJECTIVE

In the case of malignant pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade, balloon pericardiotomy is an established minimally invasive option to the surgical creation of a subxiphoid pericardial window. Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy effectively drains recurrent pericardial fluid by creating a pleuro (-abdominal-) pericardial communication. Design. A series of 26 patients with underlying malignant (n = 12) and nonmalignant (n = 14) diseases underwent percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy between 2008 and 2021. All interventions were done through a subxiphoid access under local anesthesia. Results. The mean survival in the malignant and nonmalignant groups was 1.2 versus 48.0 months, respectively (p < .001). There were neither severe periinterventional complications nor in-hospital deaths. In two patients with nonmalignant disease the surgical creation of a pericardial window was necessary during follow-up. The originally described procedure was modified by the removal of all catheters at the end of the intervention. The procedure was safe. It prevented immobility and facilitated an early discharge from the hospital. Conclusion. Our experiences show that percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy is a minimally invasive approach to successfully provide palliation in the group of patients with underlying malignant disease. On the other hand, we have shown that this technique is safe and feasible in the treatment of pericardial effusion based on nonmalignant disease. We think thereby that pericardial balloon pericardiotomy can be considered as a less invasive alternative to surgery in both groups of patients.

Single center experience of pediatric percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy is a percutaneous procedure that creates a window in the parietal pericardium by balloon dilation. The use of percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy has not been reported well in children.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this study was to describe the single centre experience of percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy in children.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study to describe all the children aged <20 years undergoing percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy during an 18-year period (2001-2019). Patient characteristics, technical and ultimate procedural success, and repeat interventions were collected.

RESULTS

A total of 13 percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy's were performed in 11 children at the median age of 12 years (range 1.8-19). The etiologies of pericardial effusion were post-pericardiotomy syndrome (n = 4), restrictive cardiomyopathy (n = 1), autoimmune diseases (n = 3), malignancy (n = 2), and idiopathic (n = 1). Two patients received two percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy. The technical success of percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy was 100% with no acute adverse events (balloon rupture or local bleeding). Five (45%) required re-intervention and ultimately three required a surgical pericardial window 6 to 35 days after the percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy. As a result, ultimate procedural success rate was 73% (8/11).

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy was performed safely with high technical success in children. Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy may be considered for recurrent and persistent pericardial effusion, before considering a surgical pericardial window.

Case report: Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy using Inoue balloon for patients with massive pericardial effusion

Two patients presenting with huge pericardial effusion were treated with pericardiotomy, using an Inoue balloon dilating catheter, to prevent recurrences and achieve symptoms relief. The procedure is a modification of an original technique reported by Palacios et al. gaining advantage of the Inoue balloon self positioning abilities and low profile. No early recurrence was observed. In both cases the effect was excellent and lead to quick ambulation sparing the patients the risk of more aggressive surgical procedure and general anesthesia. It is concluded that percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy supported by the Inoue balloon unique versatility is a simple and safe way to drain massive pericardial effusions.

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy for the treatment of large, nonmalignant pericardial effusions in children: immediate and medium-term results

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of pericardial window creation by percutaneous balloon dilation in children with recurrent, symptomatic, nonmalignant pericardial effusion, 6 boys and 4 girls, age 5-12 yr, underwent the procedure using the subxiphoid approach. The procedure was successful in 9 patients. There was one case with rupture of the balloon and entrapment of its distal part within the pericardium. During follow-up (mean 14.6 mo) there was reaccumulation of fluid only in the patient in whom rupture of the balloon had occurred. No other complications were noted. Thus, percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy appears to be a safe and effective technique for the creation of a pericardial window in children with nonmalignant pericardial effusions, and may be used as an alternative to surgical window creation.

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy: a case report and analysis of mechanism of action

A 33-year-old man with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and cardiac tamponade underwent percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy. To elucidate the pathway of fluid elimination, at the end of the procedure, we injected methylene blue into the pericardial space. Contrary to previous belief, we found no blue discoloration of the pleural fluids, and thus we postulate that most of the fluid was eliminated by peritoneal resorption.

Inoue balloon pericardiotomy for patients with recurrent pericardial effusion

The results and follow-up data for 11 patients with recurrent effusion due to various etiologies who underwent balloon pericardiotomy with the Inoue balloon catheter between May 1992 and July 1994 are described. Inoue balloon pericardiotomy was successful in 10 patients (91%), who remained free of pericardial effusion at a mean follow-up duration of 4.2 months. All patients tolerated the procedure well with minimal discomfort and with no complications. Despite good symptomatic relief, 9 patients (82%) eventually succumbed to disease dissemination, with a mean survival time of 1.4 months. It is concluded that Inoue balloon pericardiotomy is a safe and useful alternative to surgical pericardial windowing for the symptomatic treatment of recurrent pericardial effusion.

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy: a double-balloon technique

We describe a double-balloon technique for performing a percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy. This technique was employed when the large, single dilation balloon customarily used for this procedure failed to fully inflate across the parietal pericardium. Two smaller balloons were advanced through the same skin tract and simultaneously inflated, thus producing an adequate pericardial window. This double-balloon technique allowed for the more secure anchoring of the balloons across the pericardium and for the delivery of greater dilation pressures.