Surgical management of effusive pericardial disease

Diagnosis, treatment, and management of pericardial effusion- review

The hemodynamic stability of the heart and pericardium are maintained by the pericardial fluid of volume ∼10–50 ml. Pericardial effusion is associated with the abnormal accumulation of pericardial fluid in the pericardial cavity. Numerous imaging techniques are utilized to evaluate pericardial effusion including chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiography, computed tomography scan, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and pericardiocentesis. Once diagnosed, there are numerous treatment options available for the management of patients with pericardial effusion. These include various invasive and non-invasive strategies such as pericardiocentesis, pericardial window, and sclerosing therapies. In recent times, few studies have been conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of each approach in routine clinical practice. In this review, we review the role of different modalities in the diagnosis of pericardial effusion while highlighting existing therapies aimed at the management and treatment of pericardial effusion.

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Numerous imaging techniques are utilized to evaluate pericardial effusion (PE) including chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, transthoracic echocardiography, CT scan, cardiac MRI, and pericardiocentesis.

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Multiple treatment options are available for the management of patients with PE including pericardiocentesis, pericardial window, and sclerosing therapies.

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Recent studies have evaluated the safety and efficacy of various diagnostic and management techniques in routine clinical practice.

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Further research is needed to investigate the optimal diagnostic and treatment options for patients with PE.

Pericardioperitoneal and pericardiopleural windows: A drainage technique for the treatment of recurrent cardiac tamponade. A case report

Introduction

Given that pericardial effusion may sometimes lead to cardiac tamponade and chronic heart failure, its management seems absolutely essential. In case of a poor response to medical therapy, surgical drainage of the effusion is required. Although some drainage procedures for pericardial effusion (e.g., temporary puncture, pericardiopleural drainage, and pericardioperitoneal drainage) are currently used in clinical practice, their long-term efficacy remains unclear.

Presentation of case

We present a case of a 58-year old female with recurrent pericardial effusion secondary to systemic lupus erythematosus. Since she was relatively young and on steroids, long-term patency of pericardial fenestration needed to be insured without any device. Hence, we created 2 pericardial windows, pericardioperitoneal and pericardiopleural, via a single-incision subxiphoid approach to allow the effusion to drain into the abdominal and thoracic cavities.

Discussion

It is important to efficiently manage pericardial effusion because it can lead to more serious conditions such as cardiac tamponade and chronic heart failure. Our technique, which involves making a small incision, can reduce the risk of recurrence.

Conclusion

Simultaneous creation of pericardioperitoneal and pericardiopleural windows is simple and can be feasibly performed to prevent the recurrence of pericardial effusion.

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Pericardial effusion can lead to cardiac tamponade and chronic heart failure.

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Drainage procedures for pericardial effusion are currently used in clinical settings.

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Long-term efficacy of these drainage procedures remains unclear.

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Pericardioperitoneal and pericardiopleural window techniques prevent pericardial effusion recurrence.

A practical technique for subacute hemorrhagic pericarditis, a case report

Background

We used pericardioscope operation for a patient who suffered from subacute hemorrhagic pericarditis which usually have to had a sternotomy.

Case presentation

A pericardioscope was used in the operation rather than sternotomy on a 66-year-old male who was diagnosed with subacute hemorrhagic pericarditis after PCI(Percutaneous Coronary Intervention). He was discharged 7 days after the operation with an uneventfull postoperative course.

Conclusions

We believe that this technique is a safe procedure without any major complications.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13019-021-01499-7.

Pericardial metastasis of parotid mucoepidermoid carcinoma diagnosed by pericardial biopsy

A 30-year-old man presented with swelling in the lower left ear. Close examination led to a diagnosis of parotid gland cancer, T4N0M0 Stage IVA, so total resection of the left parotid gland and left neck dissection were performed. Pathological examination led to a diagnosis of high-grade malignant-type mucoepidermoid, and chemoradiotherapy was performed as postoperative treatment. Fourteen days after completion of chemoradiotherapy, the patient was admitted to the hospital with headache and lack of appetite. Echocardiography showed a pericardial effusion and complete collapse of the right ventricle; cardiac tamponade was diagnosed, and pericardiocentesis was performed. The pericardial effusion was bloody, and a metastatic lesion was suspected, but cytological examination showed class IIIa. On day 33 of the illness, respiratory distress and hypotension were observed. A clot was seen covering the lower wall of the heart, and dilatation of the lower wall was significantly impaired. Pericardiotomy was performed on day 36. Pathological examination diagnosed cardiac metastasis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland. Although only 4 cases of parotid cancer have been reported as primary lesions of metastatic heart tumors, this case represents the world's first description of isolated parenchymal metastasis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of the parotid gland diagnosed by pericardial biopsy.

Mid-Term Efficacy of Subxiphoid Versus Transpleural Pericardial Window for Pericardial Effusion

BACKGROUND

The optimal surgical technique for drainage of pericardial effusions is frequently debated. Transpleural drainage via thoracotomy or thoracoscopy is hypothesized to provide more durable freedom from recurrent pericardial effusion than a subxiphoid pericardial window. We sought to compare operative outcomes and mid-term freedom from recurrent effusion between both approaches in patients with nontraumatic pericardial effusions.

METHODS

All patients at our institution who underwent a pericardial window from 2001 to 2018 were identified. After excluding those who underwent recent cardiothoracic surgery or trauma, patients (n = 46) were stratified by surgical approach and presence of malignancy. Primary outcome was freedom from recurrent moderate or greater pericardial effusion. Secondary outcomes included operative mortality and morbidity and mid-term survival. Follow-up was determined by medical record review, with a follow-up of 67 patient-years. Fisher's exact test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used to compare groups. Mid-term survival and freedom from effusion recurrence were determined using Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Subxiphoid windows (n = 31; 67%) were more frequently performed than transpleural windows (n = 15; 33%) and baseline characteristics were similar. Effusion etiologies included malignancy (n = 22; 48%), idiopathic (n = 12; 26%), uremia (n = 8; 17%), and collagen vascular disease (n = 4; 9%). Perioperative outcomes were comparable between the two surgical approaches, except for longer drain duration (7 versus 4 d, P = 0.029) in the subxiphoid group. Operative mortality was 19.6% overall and 36.4% in patients with malignancy. Mid-term survival and freedom from moderate or greater pericardial effusion recurrence was 37% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 19%-54%) and 69% (95% CI: 52%-86%) at 5 y, respectively. There was no difference in mid-term survival (P = 0.90) or freedom from pericardial effusion recurrence (P = 0.70) between surgical approaches. Although malignant etiology had worse late survival (P < 0.01), freedom from effusion recurrence was similar to nonmalignant etiology (P = 0.70).

CONCLUSIONS

Pericardial window provides effective mid-term relief of pericardial effusion. Subxiphoid and transpleural windows are equivalent in mid-term efficacy and both surgical approaches can be considered. Patients with malignancy have acceptable operative mortality with low incidence of recurrent effusion, supporting palliative indications.

Single-trocar thoracoscopic pericardio-pleural fenestration under local anesthesia for malignant pleural effusion: a case report

Background

Pericardio-pleural fenestration by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery is an efficient procedure for malignant pericardial effusion, but requires general anesthesia with single-lung ventilation.

Case presentation

A 43-year-old woman was referred with complaints of deteriorating dyspnea and orthopnea. Chest computed tomography revealed right massive pleural effusion and pericardial effusion. Echocardiography demonstrated collapse of both the right atrium and right ventricle due to cardiac tamponade. Semi-rigid thoracoscopic pleural biopsy and pericardio-pleural fenestration were successfully performed under local anesthesia via a single trocar, because surgical procedures under general anesthesia with single-lung ventilation might have been intolerable for the patient. Adequate biopsy specimens of pleura and pericardium and immediate relief of serious symptoms were obtained without perioperative complications. No recurrence of pleural or pericardial effusion was observed for 3 months postoperatively.

Conclusion

Thoracoscopic pericardio-pleural fenestration under local anesthesia via a single trocar is feasible as an alternative approach in critically ill patients, allowing effective pericardial drainage, evaluation of the pleural cavity, and accurate biopsies of the pericardium and parietal pleura simultaneously.

Pericardial windows have limited diagnostic success

Background

Pericardial effusion (PE) is a common finding in patients who have chronic cardiac failure, who had undergone cardiac surgery, or who have certain other benign and malignant diseases. Pericardial drainage procedures are often requested for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The perceived benefit is that it allows for diagnosis of malignancy or infection for patients with PEs of unclear etiology. The purpose of the study is to determine the diagnostic yield of surgical drainage procedures.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent surgical drainage procedures of PEs from July 1st, 2011 to January 1st, 2017 at a single institution. The variables included data on preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative findings; morbidity; and survival.

Results

A total of 145 patients with an average age of 61 ± 5 and primarily men (53%) were evaluated. All of the surgical drainage procedures were performed through the sub-xiphoid approach. Twenty-five of the 145 patients (17.2%) had diagnostic findings in either the pericardial tissue or fluid. The cytology alone was diagnostic in 4.8% (N = 7) of patients with mixed findings including adenocarcinoma of the lung and breast. The pathology was diagnostic for cancer in 1.4% (N = 2) of patients with Melanoma and Lung cancer identified. The cytology and pathology were concordant in 4.0% (N = 6) identifying cancers that included mesothelioma and adenocarcinoma. Infection was identified in the pericardial fluid in 6.9% (N = 10) of the patients.

Conclusion

Surgical pericardial drainage procedures allow for removal of PE that may lead to tamponade physiology and potential mortality. Although there is therapeutic benefit from these procedures there is only a small diagnostic benefit.

Radical Pericardiectomy for Chronic Constrictive Pericarditis

A retrospective analysis was undertaken in 79 patients who underwent pericardiectomy for chronic constrictive pericarditis from January 1985 to February 1999. Most operations (77) were carried out with cardiopulmonary bypass, with subtotal pericardiectomy in 75 patients, and concomitant operations in 25. Postoperative complications occurred in 8 patients: cerebrovascular accident in 2, renal insufficiency in 5, bleeding in 2, low output syndrome in 4, and respiratory insufficiency in 2. The operative mortality was 5%; causes of death were cardiac-related in all cases. Actuarial survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 89.9% ± 3.4%, 74.9% ± 5.7%, and 55.4% ± 13.5%, respectively. Regression analysis was performed using 53 clinical variables. Female gender, renal insufficiency, concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting, and preoperative right ventricular end-diastolic pressure > 20 mm Hg were found to be predictors of poor survival. At follow-up, improved functional status was noted in 88% of patients. Subtotal pericardiectomy can be performed on cardiopulmonary bypass with low mortality and good long-term survival.

Subxiphoid Approach for Treatment of Pericardial Effusion

Subxiphoid pericardiotomy was the primary treatment in 305 patients with pericardial effusion from January 1984 to June 1996. There were 198 males and 107 females, ages ranged from 15 days to 75 years. The procedure was carried out with local anesthesia and sedation in 263 (86.2%) patients and under general anesthesia in 42 (13.8%). Median drainage was 975.25 ± 48.46 mL in 264 patients with benign effusion and 1131.25 ± 97.48 mL in 41 (13.4%) with malignant disease; cytology was positive in 14 of 38 (36.8%) and pericardial biopsy showed cancer in 12 of 36 (33.3%). Intraoperative complications in 22 patients (7.2%) included cardiac arrest in 12 (3.9%) of whom, 7 (2.3%) died. Overall 30-day mortality was 16.3%; it was 46.3% (19/41) in malignant cases versus 11.7% (31/264) in cases of benign effusion. Follow-up of 234 (91.8%) hospital survivors for 18 ± 3.62 months (range, 2 to 54 months) showed recurrent pericardial effusion needing further intervention in 31 (13.2%) of whom, 8 had cancer and 23 had benign disease. Median survival in benign cases was more than 107 days versus 56 days in malignant cases. Because of its acceptable mortality and morbidity, subxiphoid pericardiotomy is recommend as an initial procedure.

Acute cardiac tamponade: an unusual cause of acute renal failure in a renal transplant recipient

We report a case of slow graft function in a renal transplant recipient caused by uremic acute pericardial effusion with tamponade. Urgent pericardiocentesis was done with an improvement in blood pressure, immediate diuresis, and quick recovery of renal function back to baseline. Pericardial tamponade should be included in consideration of causes of type 1 cardiorenal syndrome in renal transplant recipients.

Surgery for pericardial disease

The pericardium is an important structure, and there are many diseases that affect the pericardium and the heart. Often, surgery is required for drainage or removal of the pericardium, but techniques are not standardized, and there is controversy, especially with regard to treatment of constrictive pericarditis. This paper reviews surgical methods for the treatment of inflammatory and constrictive pericarditis and presents early and late outcome of operation.

Neoplastic pericardial effusion

Neoplastic pericardial effusion is a serious and common clinical disorder encountered by cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, oncologists, and radiation oncologists. It may develop from direct extension or metastatic spread of the underlying malignancy, from an opportunistic infection, or from a complication of radiation therapy or chemotherapeutic toxicity. The clinical presentation varies, and the patient may be hemodynamically unstable in the setting of constrictive pericarditis and cardiac tamponade. The management depends on the patient's prognosis and varies from pericardiocentesis, sclerotherapy, and balloon pericardiotomy to cardiothoracic surgery. Patients with neoplastic pericardial effusion face a grave prognosis, as their malignancy is usually more advanced. This review article discusses the epidemiology and etiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, management, and prognosis of neoplastic pericardial effusion.

[Pericardial window by videothorascopy]

INTRODUCTION

Pericardial effusion is a clinical condition requiring multidisciplinary management. There are several surgical techniques for its diagnosis and treatment. In the present study we report our experience in performing a pericardial window (PW) by videothorascopy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed surgery on 56 patients (20 females and 36 males), with a mean age of 56±1.22 years, and diagnosed with moderate to severe chronic pericardial effusion. The side chosen for the approach depended on whether there was an associated pleural effusion or lung lesion, and if not the left side was chosen.

RESULTS

The mean duration of the surgery was 37.6±16 minutes. The definitive diagnoses were malignant processes in 23% of cases, including bronchogenic carcinoma and breast cancer. The intra-operative mortality was 0%.

CONCLUSIONS

Videothorascopic pericardial window is an effective and safe technique for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pericardial effusion, and which enables it to be drained and perform a pleuro-pulmonary and/or mediastinal biopsy during the same surgical act.

The pericardial window: is a video-assisted thoracoscopy approach better than a surgical approach?

OBJECTIVES

The approach to the pericardial window in patients with pericardial effusion (PE) remains undefined as to whether a surgical (transthoracic or subxiphoid) or a thoracoscopic pericardial window is the optimal operative approach to PE. We hypothesized that the window into the pleural space created by the thoracoscopy might improve the outcome.

METHODS

We conducted a prospective study between September 2007 and October 2009. All patients with PE diagnosed by echocardiography who attended the Cardiothoracic Department in King Fahd Hospital are included in this study. They were 30 patients (18 males, 12 females aged 44±1.22 years). Patients were subdivided into two groups. Group A, 15 patients underwent the surgical (transthoracic or subxiphoid) procedure and Group B, 15 patients underwent the video-assisted thoracoscopy procedure. Preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables, morbidity, recurrence, and survival were compared in both groups.

RESULTS

Preoperative variables were well-matched for age, sex, preoperative tamponade, echocardiographical characteristics and co-morbidities between both groups. No recurrence of effusion was observed in the two groups. Operative time was statistically highly significant (P<0.001); it was longer in Group B. There was no intraoperative complication in both groups. There was no postoperative complication in both groups except one case of superficial wound infection in Group A. There was no significance difference between both groups as regard duration of chest tube drainage and length of hospital stay. There was no in-hospital mortality in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Pericardial window by video-assisted thoracoscopy is an effective technique for pericardial drainage and biopsy. Apart from its diagnostic value, it allows the physician to fashion a pleuropericardial window for effective drainage while avoiding the complications of classic surgical procedures.

Management of complications of minimally invasive thoracic surgery

Minimally invasive thoracic surgery (MITS) has become part of the modern thoracic surgeon's armamentarium. Its applications include diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and over the past one and a half decades, the scope of MITS has undergone rapid evolution. The role of MITS is well established in the management of pleural and mediastinal conditions, and it is beginning to move beyond diagnostic procedures for lung parenchyma conditions, to gain acceptance as a viable option for primary lung cancer treatment. However MITS poses technical challenges that are quite different from the conventional open surgical procedures. After a brief review of the history of MITS, an overview of the scope of MITS is given. Important examples of diagnostic and therapeutic indications are then discussed, with special emphasis on the potential complications specific to MITS, and their prevention and management.

[Pericardial window by videothoracoscope in the treatment of pericardial effusion and tamponade]

INTRODUCTION

Malignancies are the most common causes of pericardial effusion (PE) or tamponade (PT). Lung and breast carcinoma are the most frequent. The treatment of PE consists in the performance of drainage and/or pericardial window (PW) usually subxiphoid. In the present study we describe our experience with the PW by videothoracoscopic (VATS) approach, a procedure scarcely referred to in the literature.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the efficacy of the PW by videothoracoscopic (VATS) approach in the treatment of PE and/or PT.

PATIENTS AND METHOD

Retrospective study of 12 patients with PE submitted to PW by VATS in a period of 10 years, since February 1994 to October 2004. The surgical procedure employed was VATS, under general anesthesia, selective intubation and lateral decubitus. We systematically performed a PW anterior to phrenic nerve and studied pleural and pericardial fluids. Talc pleurodesis was added if neoplastic pleural effusion was objectived by a previous needle thoracocentesis and cytological analysis of pleural fluid. A single chest drain (24 F) was inserted after surgery, and removed when daily debit was under 100 ml.

RESULTS

12 patients were operated on, 4 men and 8 women, mean age of 58.6 years (range, 32-78). There was no surgical mortality. There were 8 cases of PT. The causes of PE were: breast carcinoma in 8 cases, lung carcinoma in 3 cases and infectious origin in one case. Mean duration of surgical procedure was 30 minutes. All the patients had concomitant pleural effusion. Surgical approach was by the left side in all the cases. Talc pleurodesis was added in 8 cases of the 12 that had pleural effusion, in the 8 cases cytological analysis had shown paraneoplastic origin. Chest drain was removed after a mean period of 3.5 days. There was no mortality associated with the procedure. Mean stay was 3.8 days. Mean survival was 12 months for breast cancer patients and 4 months for lung cancer.

CONCLUSIONS

PW by VATS is a suitable procedure for the management of massive PE or PT. In our experience this procedure showed no mortality and minimal morbidity, providing symptomatic improvement (in PE and pleural efusión) in all the patients. This approach also makes possible the study of pleural cavity, the obtaining of parietal pleura samples and, if necessary, the performance of talc pleurodesis.

Pericardial tamponade in patients with central venous catheters

Cardiac (pericardial) tamponade occurs when the pressure of the fluid within the pericardial sac is high enough to impair the venous return to the heart. Cardiac tamponade can occur during central venous catheter placements. Nursing members of a central vascular catheter placement team benefit from quickly recognizing this clinical situation and understanding the appropriate clinical response. A methodical approach to this potentially fatal condition can greatly increase patient safety. This article reviews this condition, its clinical presentation and diagnosis, and strategies for avoiding central vascular access-associated tamponade.

Avaliação da influência do tempo e do diâmetro na obstrução da janela pleuropericárdica

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a influência do diâmetro e do tempo na obstrução da janela pleuro-pericárdica em cães com pericárdio normal. MÉTODO: Trinta e seis cães mestiços foram divididos em seis grupos: 1 a, 1 b,1 c, 2 a, 2 b, 2 c; n=6 por grupo. Nos grupos 1 a , 1 b, 1 c, à janela foi de 2cm de diâmetro e nos grupos 2 a, 2 b, 2 c, foi de 4cm. Os animais foram reoperados respectivamente após 2, 8 e 12 semanas. Na re-operação, avaliou-se o grau de obstrução através de uma escala de aderência pericárdio-epicárdica e a histopatologia das bordas do pericárdio. RESULTADOS: Numa análise global, observou-se 89% de janelas abertas e 11% de janelas totalmente obstruídas. No grupo com 2cm de diâmetro original, na reoperação, encontrou-se um diâmetro maior em 89% dos cães, enquanto que nos cães com janela original de 4cm, isto ocorreu em 61%. Quando comparou-se os resultados nos cães com janelas de diâmetro igual, mas re-operados em diferentes tempos de pós-operatório, não se observou diferença estatisticamente significante. O mesmo ocorreu quando comparou-se os cães com janelas de diâmetro diferente e re-operados em tempos iguais de pós-operatório. O grau de aderência pericárdio-epicárdica, de acordo com a escala de gradação, não foi diferente entre os vários grupos em função do tempo e diâmetro com exceção do grupo com janela de 4cm e re-operado com 8 semanas (Grupo 2b). As alterações histopatológicas não foram estatisticamente significantes entre os grupos. Em nenhum cão observou-se obstrução da janela pleuropericárdica pelo pulmão. CONCLUSÃO: o tempo e o diâmetro da janela pleuropericardica não influenciaram na obstrução da mesma.

Surgical Management of Symptomatic Pericardial Effusion in Patients with Solid Malignancies

BACKGROUND

Symptomatic pericardial effusion in patients with cancer may lead to a life-threatening event that requires diligent treatment, but the best surgical treatment is still controversial. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of survival for patients with solid malignancies and symptomatic pericardial effusion, which might help to select the best surgical treatment for each patient.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 47 patients with solid malignancies concomitant with symptomatic pericardial effusion who underwent surgery between 1994 and 2004. Overall survival was calculated from date of surgery, and prognostic importance of clinical and pathological variables was assessed.

RESULTS

The most common primary sites of disease were breast (46.8%) and lung (25.6%). Initial pericardiocentesis were performed in 29 patients; median volume of fluid drained was 480 mL. Median interval from the diagnosis of primary cancer to the development of pericardial effusion (pericardial effusion-free interval) was 34.8 months. Definitive surgical treatment was performed in 43 patients, as follows: subxiphoid pericardial window (n = 21); thoracotomy and pleuropericardial window (n = 10); pericardiodesis (n = 8); and videothoracoscopic pleuropericardial window (n = 4). Pericardiocentesis was the only procedure in four patients. Median follow-up was 2.9 months. Median overall survival was 3.7 months. Pericardial effusion-free interval longer than 35 months and more than 480 mL of fluid drained at initial pericardiocentesis were determinants of better survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Pericardial window and pericardiodesis seem to be safe and efficacious in treating effusion of the pericardium. Pericardial effusion-free interval and volume drained at initial pericardiocentesis are determinants of outcome.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic pericardial window for diagnosis and management of pericardial effusions

BACKGROUND

Video-assisted thoracoscopy with the creation of a pericardial window is a noninvasive method of pericardial drainage. It also allows an excellent view of both the pleural cavity and pericardium and the precise selection of biopsy sites. We review our 3-year experience with this technique.

METHODS

Between January 2001 and February 2004, 18 patients (10 men, 8 women; mean age 57 years) with echocardiographically diagnosed pericardial effusion underwent video-assisted thoracoscopy at our center. Pericardial windows were created under general anesthesia and single-lung ventilation using 2 to 3 trocars. Mean operating time was 46 minutes. A right thoracic approach was used in 16 patients and a left thoracic approach in 2.

RESULTS

Microbiology and virology cultures of the pericardial fluid were negative. Histologic findings were compatible with tuberculosis in 2 cases and granulocytic sarcoma, infiltrating breast carcinoma, and infiltrating nonsmall cell carcinoma in 1 case each. In the remaining patients, the histologic diagnosis was chronic or subacute nonspecific pericarditis. Talc pleurodesis was performed in 3 patients for concomitant malignant pleural effusion. In 4 patients, the pericardial effusion occurred secondary to cardiac surgery; 3 were receiving anticoagulants after valve replacement, and 1 had a heart transplant. There were no complications of the thoracoscopy technique.

CONCLUSIONS

Video-assisted thoracoscopic fenestration is an effective technique for pericardial drainage and biopsy. Apart from its diagnostic value, it allows the physician to fashion a pleuropericardial window for effective drainage while avoiding the complications of classic surgical procedures. Concomitant pleural and pulmonary disorders may be managed simultaneously.

Comparative study of subxiphoid versus video-thoracoscopic pericardial "window"

BACKGROUND

It remains undefined whether surgical subxiphoid drainage or thoracoscopic pericardial "window" is the optimal operative approach to pericardial effusion. We hypothesized that the true window into the pleural space created by the latter might improve the duration of freedom from recurrent effusion.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective chart review of indications, preoperative and intraoperative variables, morbidity, recurrence, and survival.

RESULTS

Fifty-six patients underwent the subxiphoid procedure and 15 underwent the thoracoscopic procedure. Echocardiographic evidence of tamponade was present before 8 of 10 thoracoscopic procedures (80%) and 43 of 56 subxiphoid procedures (81%) for which descriptions of hemodynamics were available. In addition, non-pericardial procedures were performed in 10 (67%) and 18 (32%) patients, respectively (p = 0.020). Anesthesia time was longer at thoracoscopy (117.1 +/- 32.4 vs 81.1 +/- 25.5 minutes; p < 0.001). Procedural morbidity was higher after thoracoscopy (4 [27%] vs 1 [2%]; p = 0.006), but was generally minor. Hospital mortality tended to be higher after the subxiphoid procedure (7 [13%] vs 0 [0%]; p = 0.332), but none of the deaths was procedure-related. Follow-up was complete for 65 patients (92%). Recurrence occurred in 1 thoracoscopy patient (8%) and 5 subxiphoid patients (10%) (p = 1.000). Mean time to recurrence by Kaplan-Meier analysis trends were longer after thoracoscopy (36.1 vs 11.4 months; p = 0.16), and multivariate analysis identified the thoracoscopic approach as an independent predictor of freedom from recurrence (relative risk, 0.41; p = 0.014).

CONCLUSIONS

Operative time and minor procedural morbidity are higher with thoracoscopic pericardial window, but long-term control of effusion seemed to be better than after subxiphoid surgical drainage.

Pericarditis

Pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium) may be caused by infectious agents, autoimmune disorders, metabolic conditions, or malignancy, or it may be a complication of drug therapy, trauma, cardiac surgery, or smallpox vaccination. Diagnosis, based on clinical findings, electrocardiographic changes, chest radiograph, and ultrasound, may be confirmed as appropriate by pericardiocentesis. Although contemporary imaging technologies, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, are useful, echocardiography remains the simplest and most expeditious noninvasive tool to assess inflammatory and infectious diseases of the pericardium. Although contemporary management of pericardial disease remains relatively unchanged, reports of innovative approaches to the management of pericardial effusion include the installation of intrapericardial thrombolytic agents to facilitate drainage of purulent effusions or balloon pericardiotomy for recurrent effusions. Both offer potential alternatives to the surgical pericardial window.

Malignant Pericardial Effusion--An Uncommon Complication of Multiple Myeloma: Case Report

Multiple myeloma is a condition usually associated with lesions of the skeleton. However, under rare circumstances, the malignant plasma cells may infiltrate the pericardium, resulting in an effusion. If left untreated, the abnormal accumulation of pericardial fluid will result in cardiac tamponade, requiring drainage. The following report describes a multiple myeloma patient who developed secondary pericardial and pleural effusions, which were surgically drained via a pleuropericardial window.

Outcomes of clinically significant idiopathic pericardial effusion requiring intervention

There is a paucity of outcome data on patients with idiopathic pericardial effusion requiring intervention. All patients who had clinically significant pericardial effusion confirmed by echocardiography and requiring interventions between 1979 and 2000 were identified through the Echo-guided Pericardiocentesis Registry and Echocardiography and Surgical Databases. Clinical data and outcomes were obtained by review of medical records and surveys. The study population consisted of 92 patients (mean age 59 +/- 15 years). Five patients were referred directly for pericardiectomy (3 had effusion in the context of chronic relapsing pericarditis, 2 had effusive constrictive disease), and 87 underwent echo-guided pericardiocentesis as their initial treatment. In 47 of these patients, primary management involved extended pericardial catheter drainage, which was associated with a trend to lower recurrence rates than in those without catheter drainage (p = 0.052). Three patients had transient right ventricular entry with no sequelae, and 7 patients (8%) later had surgical pericardiectomy because of the recurrence of effusion, 2 of whom were also found to have evidence of effusive constrictive disease during surgery. One patient had bleeding after pericardiectomy that required repeat thoracotomy. Mean follow-up of the cohort was 3.8 +/- 4.3 years. For most patients with clinically significant idiopathic pericardial effusion requiring intervention, echo-guided pericardiocentesis was the definitive treatment. Pericardiectomy was necessary for patients in whom effusion occurred in the context of effusive constrictive disease, chronic relapsing pericarditis, or recurrent effusion despite pericardiocentesis. The prognosis for the cohort was favorable, and survival did not appear to differ from that of the general population (p = 0.372).

Consecutive 1127 therapeutic echocardiographically guided pericardiocenteses: clinical profile, practice patterns, and outcomes spanning 21 years

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate consecutive therapeutic echocardiographically (echo)-guided pericardiocenteses performed at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn, from 1979 to 2000 and to determine whether patient profiles, practice patterns, and outcomes have changed over time.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive echo-guided pericardiocenteses performed between February 1, 1979, and January 31, 2000, for treatment of clinically significant pericardial effusions were identified in the Mayo Clinic Echocardiographic-guided Pericardiocentesis Registry. The medical records of these patients were examined, and a follow-up survey was conducted. Clinical profiles, echocardiographic findings, procedural details, and outcomes were determined for 3 periods: February 1, 1979, through January 31, 1986; February 1, 1986, through January 31, 1993; and February 1, 1993, through January 31, 2000.

RESULTS

During the 21-year study period, 1127 therapeutic echo-guided pericardiocenteses were performed in 977 patients. The mean +/- SD age at pericardiocentesis increased from 49+/-14 years in period 1 to 57+/-14 years in period 3. In recent years, cardiothoracic surgery replaced malignancy as the leading cause of an effusion requiring pericardiocentesis and together with malignancy and perforation from catheter-based procedures accounted for nearly 70% of all pericardiocenteses performed. The procedural success rate was 97% overall, with a total complication rate of 4.7% (major, 1.2%; minor, 3.5%). These rates did not change significantly over time. The use of a pericardial catheter for extended drainage increased from 23% in period 1 to 75% in period 3 (P<.001), whereas rates of effusion recurrence and pericardial surgery decreased significantly (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The profile of patients presenting with clinically significant pericardial effusion has changed over time. Increasing numbers of older patients and those who have undergone cardiothoracic surgery or catheter-based procedures develop effusions that can be rapidly, safely, and effectively managed with echo-guided pericardiocentesis. Extended drainage with use of a pericardial catheter has become standard practice, and concomitantly, recurrence rates and need for surgical management have decreased considerably.

Diagnosis and management of chronic pericardial effusions

Chronic pericardial effusions are a major cause of morbidity in some clinical settings. Although the treatment of choice for acute symptomatic pericardial effusions (tamponade) is pericardiocentesis, the long-term management of symptomatic chronic pericardial effusions provides a greater challenge. The aim of this review is to provide insight into the presentation,diagnosis, and different treatment options available to patients with chronic symptomatic pericardial effusions,with emphasis on malignant pericardial effusions. Peri-cardiocentesis with sclerosing agents, radiation therapy,percutaneous, and surgical pericardiotomy and other surgical techniques are particularly efficacious, depend-ing on the underlying cause and the patient's prognosis.

Surgical pathology of the parietal pericardium: a study of 344 cases (1993-1999)

Among 344 cases with surgically resected parietal pericardium, ages ranged from 1 to 87 years (mean, 55), and 64% were male. Causes of pericardial disease included neoplastic (33%), idiopathic (30%), iatrogenic (23%), and others (14%). Pericardial constriction (Group 1) represented the largest group (143 cases, 76% male). Maximal pericardial thickness was 1-17 mm (mean, 4). Fibrotic thickening occurred in 96%. Chronic lymphoplasmacytic inflammation affected 73% (mild or moderate in 97%). Calcification was uncommon (gross in 28%, microscopic in 8%), and granulomas were rare (4%, none tubercular). Constriction was idiopathic in 49% and iatrogenic (postpericardiotomy or postirradiation) in 41%. Neoplasms and cysts (Group 2) represented the second largest group (96 cases). Among 43 cases with secondary pericardial involvement, carcinomas accounted for 53% and lymphomas 21%. Forty cases (Group 3) had pericardial effusions (75% chronic), which were idiopathic in 28% and postpericardiotomy in 23%. Thirty-three cases (Group 4) had acute or recurrent pericarditis clinically, which was idiopathic in 70%. Lastly, 32 cases (Group 5) had pericardial resection for conditions unrelated to primary pericardial disease. In conclusion, pericardial constriction tended to be nontubercular (100%), nongranulomatous (96%), idiopathic or iatrogenic (90%), and noncalcific (64%), and it could occur with normal pericardial thickness (4%). Because considerable overlap in the gross and microscopic features existed among cases with noncalcific pericardial constriction (Group 1), pericardial effusions (Group 3), and pericarditis (Group 4), clinical information was necessary to provide an accurate clinicopathologic interpretation.

Critical care of patients with cancer. Surgical considerations

Surgical evaluation of and therapy for the critically ill cancer patient continue to present significant challenges despite, or perhaps in part because of, an ongoing technologic refinement of therapeutic modalities within a modern ICU.

Minimally invasive limited pericardiectomy: the hybrid approach

This communication describes our clinical experience with the hybrid method, a video-assisted anterior minithoracotomy approach developed for minimally invasive limited pericardiectomy to treat 8 patients with massive pericardial effusion. The average operating time was 37.2 minutes, and there was no procedure-related morbidity or mortality. The mean follow-up period was 5.6 months, and there have been no recurrences. The hybrid approach can be accomplished irrespective of pleural adhesions. It eliminates the need for hemipulmonary collapse, making it more advantageous than the totally port-access thoracoscopic approach.

Malignancies involving the pericardium

Malignancies rarely arise from the pericardium. Mesothelioma, the most common of these, is usually unresectable and almost always incurable. Malignancies may secondarily involve the pericardium by direct extension. Carcinoma of the lung and malignant thymoma with limited direct invasion of the pericardium both can undergo complete and potentially curative resections, but adjuvant therapy is usually indicated. More frequently, malignancies involve the pericardium by a process of retrograde lymphangitic spread or hematogenous dissemination. These patients present with a symptomatic pericardial effusion and occasionally pericardial tamponade. Subxiphoid pericardiostomy and drainage is a safe procedure that provides effective and durable symptomatic relief in these terminally ill patients. More aggressive open procedures should be reserved for loculated or recurrent pericardial effusions.

Outcomes of primary and secondary treatment of pericardial effusion in patients with malignancy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the treatment strategies for primary and secondary management of malignancy-related pericardial effusions.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Retrospective review of Mayo Clinic Rochester charts and external records of patients with pericardial effusion associated with malignant disease who required treatment between February 1979 and June 1998 was performed. Telephone interviews with patients, their families, or their physicians were conducted to determine the outcomes of treatment. Recurrence of pericardial effusion and survival were the main outcome measures.

RESULTS

Of 1002 consecutive pericardiocenteses performed during the period under study, 341 were performed in 275 patients with confirmed malignant disease. Patients were followed up for a minimum of 190 days, unless death occurred first. Of 275 patients, recurrence of pericardial effusion or persistent drainage necessitated secondary management in 59 (43 of 118 simple pericardiocenteses, 16 of 139 pericardiocenteses with extended catheter drainage, and 0 of 18 pericardial surgery following temporizing pericardiocentesis). Recurrence was strongly and independently predicted by absence of pericardial catheter for extended drainage, large effusion size, and emergency procedures. Recurrence after secondary management occurred in 12 patients: 11 underwent successful pericardiocentesis with extended catheter drainage, and 1 had pericardial surgery. Median survival of the cohort was 135 days, and 26% survived the first year after diagnosis of pericardial effusion. Male sex, positive fluid cytology for malignant cells, lung cancer, and clinical presentation of tamponade or hemodynamic collapse were independently associated with poor survival.

CONCLUSION

Echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis with extended catheter drainage appears to be safe and effective for both primary and secondary management of pericardial effusion in patients with malignancy.

Diagnosis and management of cardiac tamponade in the era of echocardiography

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening condition. Accurate diagnosis and prompt intervention are necessary. Classically, clinical features of tamponade include pulsus paradoxus, tachycardia, increased jugular venous pressure, and hypotension. With the advent of echocardiography, confirmation of an effusion and accurate assessment of its hemodynamic impact can be achieved, frequently in the absence of overt clinical manifestations. The decision regarding treatment and timing of intervention must take into account the clinical presentation and echocardiographic findings, along with careful weighing of risks and benefits to the individual patient. Echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis is the best available therapy for initial management of cardiac tamponade. It is simple, safe, and effective for removing pericardial fluid and reversing hemodynamic instability, and the use of a pericardial catheter for extended drainage has been associated with significant reduction in recurrence of fluid accumulation.

Pericardial Effusion and Tamponade

Pericardial effusion may occur as a result of a variety of clinical conditions, including viral, bacterial, or fungal infections and inflammatory, postinflammatory, autoreactive, and neoplastic processes. More common causes of pericardial effusion and tamponade include malignancy, renal failure, viral and bacterial infectious processes, radiation, aortic dissection, and hypothyroidism. It can also occur after trauma or acute myocardial infarction (as in postpericardiotomy syndrome following cardiac or thoracic surgery) or as an idiopathic pericardial effusion. Although pericardial effusion is common in patients with connective tissue disease, cardiac tamponade is rare. Among medical patients, malignant disease is the most common cause of pericardial effusion with tamponade. Table 1 shows the causes of pericardial tamponade. The effusion fluid may be serous, suppurative, hemorrhagic, or serosanguineous. The pericardial fluid can be a transudate (typically occurring in patients with congestive heart failure) or an exudate. The latter type, which contains a high concentration of proteins and fibrin, can occur with any type of pericarditis, severe infections, or malignancy. Once the diagnosis of pericardial effusion has been made, it is important to determine whether the effusion is creating significant hemodynamic compromise. Asymptomatic patients without hemodynamic compromise, even with large pericardial effusions, do not need to be treated with pericardiocentesis unless there is a need for fluid analysis for diagnostic purposes (eg, in acute bacterial pericarditis, tuberculosis, and neoplasias). The diagnosis of pericardial effusion/tamponade relies on a strong clinical suspicion and is confirmed by echocardiography or other pericardial imaging modalities. Alternatively, when the diagnosis of cardiac tamponade is made, there is a need for emergency drainage of pericardial fluid by pericardiocentesis or surgery to relieve the hemodynamic compromise. Following pericardiocentesis, it is necessary to prevent recurrence of tamponade. Intrapericardial injection of sclerosing agents, surgical pericardiotomy, and percutaneous balloon pericardial window creation are techniques used to prevent reaccumulation of pericardial fluid and recurrence of cardiac tamponade.

Pericardial effusion: subxiphoid pericardiostomy versus percutaneous catheter drainage

BACKGROUND

Optimal management of cardiac tamponade resulting from pericardial effusion remains controversial.

METHODS

Cardiac tamponade in 117 patients was treated with either subxiphoid pericardiostomy (n = 94) or percutaneous catheter drainage (n = 23). Percutaneous catheter drainage was used for patients with hemodynamic instability that precluded subxiphoid pericardiostomy. Effusions were malignant in 75 (64%) of 117 patients and benign in 42 (36%) of 117.

RESULTS

Subxiphoid pericardiostomy had no operative deaths and a complication rate of 1.1% (1 of 94). In contrast, percutaneous drainage had significantly (p < 0.05) higher mortality and complication rates of 4% (1 of 23) and 17% (4 of 23), respectively. Patients with an underlying malignancy had a median survival of 2.2 months, with a 1-year actuarial survival rate of 13.8%. In comparison, patients with benign disease had a median survival of 42.8 months and a 1-, 2-, and 4-year actuarial survival rate of 79%, 73%, and 49%, respectively (p < 0.05). Effusions recurred in 1 (1.1%) of 94 patients after subxiphoid pericardiostomy compared with 7 (30.4%) of 23 patients with percutaneous drainage (p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Benign and malignant pericardial tamponade can be safely and effectively managed with subxiphoid pericardiostomy. Percutaneous catheter drainage should be reserved for patients with hemodynamic instability.

Percutaneous echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis in pediatric patients: evaluation of safety and efficacy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of echocardiographically (echo) guided pericardiocentesis in pediatric patients. Echo-guided pericardiocenteses performed in pediatric patients (age >/=16 years) at the Mayo Clinic between 1980 and 1997 were identified. Presentation, cause and characteristics of the effusion, details of the pericardiocentesis procedure, and outcome were determined by comprehensive chart review supplemented by telephone interviews when necessary. Seventy-three pediatric patients, median age 6.7 years (range 1 day to 16 years), underwent 94 consecutive echo-guided pericardiocenteses for effusions of various causes. Twenty-one (22%) procedures were performed in children younger than 2 years. All but 1 procedure were successful (99%). A mean fluid volume of 237 mL (range 4 to 970 mL) was withdrawn. Only a single attempt was needed for entry into the pericardial space in 87 (93%) procedures. No deaths were associated with the pericardiocentesis procedure. Only 1 major complication occurred (1%), a pneumothorax requiring chest tube reexpansion. Three (3%) minor complications-2 instances of right ventricular puncture and a small pneumothorax-did not require treatment. Extended catheter drainage for a mean of 5.2 +/- 4.5 days (range 1 to 19 days) was used with 30 (32%) of the 94 procedures. For the 52 patients who underwent pericardiocentesis without catheter drainage as the initial management strategy, 18 required 21 repeat pericardiocenteses for recurrence of effusion. In contrast, for the 21 patients who had pericardial catheterization as the initial management strategy, none had recurrences necessitating a repeat procedure (P <.001). Increased utilization of a pericardial catheter was associated with a concomitant decrease in the number of surgical pericardial procedures over the study period. Echo-guided pericardiocentesis was the only therapeutic modality for the management of effusion in 73% of all patients. Echo-guided pericardiocentesis is safe and effective in pediatric patients, including children younger than 2 years. The increasing use of pericardial catheterization in conjunction with this technique was associated with significant reduction of recurrence and decreased frequency of surgical interventions for treatment of pericardial effusion. Echo-guided pericardiocentesis with extended catheter drainage should be considered as primary management strategy for clinically significant pericardial effusions in pediatric patients.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic pericardial fenestration for loculated or recurrent effusions

OBJECTIVE

The validity of video-assisted thoracoscopic pericardial fenestration was prospectively assessed for loculated effusions. effusions previously treated by percutaneous catheter manoeuvres and those with concurrent pleural diseases.

METHODS

Inclusion criteria consisted of echocardiographically documented pericardial effusions requiring diagnosis or relief of symptoms and recurrent effusions after failed percutaneous drainage and balloon pericardiotomy. Pre-operative CT-scan was used to delineate additional pleural pathology and to determine the side of intervention. All patients were followed clinically and by echocardiographic examination 3 months post-operatively.

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients underwent thoracoscopic pericardial fenestration with 11 patients (54%) being previously treated by percutaneous catheter drainage, balloon pericardiotomy or subxyphoidal fenestration. Pre-operative echocardiography revealed septation and loculation in 18 patients (72%). Additional pleural pathology was identified on CT scan in 12 patients (50%) and talc pleurodesis was performed in six patients, all suffering from malignant pleural effusion. The mean operation time was 45 min (range 30-60 min) with no complications being observed. All patients were followed 3 months post-operatively by clinical and echocardiographic examination; relief of symptoms was achieved in all patients but echocardiography showed a recurrence in one patient (4%). Another recurrence was found by echocardiography after a mean follow-up time of 33 months in the 12 patients suffering from a non-malignant pericardial effusion. No recurrence of pleural or pericardial effusion was observed in the subset of patients with talc pleurodesis.

CONCLUSION

Video-assisted thoracoscopic pericardial fenestration is safe and effective for loculated pericardial effusions previously treated by percutaneous drainage manoeuvres and those with concomitant pleural disease.

Video-thoracoscopic pericardial window in the diagnosis and treatment of pericardial effusions

Video-thoracoscopic pericardial window is a noninvasive method of pericardial drainage, allowing an excellent view of the pleural cavity and the pericardium and a precise selection of biopsy sites whether these are pericardial, pleural, lung or mediastinal. The results obtained in a series of 22 patients operated on using this technique are presented.

Echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis: evolution and state-of-the-art technique

Percutaneous pericardiocentesis was introduced during the 19th century and became a preferred technique for the management of pericardial effusion by the early 20th century. Until the era of two-dimensional echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis, however, the procedure was essentially "blind," and serious complications were comparatively common, an outcome that resulted in an increased preference for surgical solutions. Because two-dimensional echocardiography facilitates direct visualization of cardiac structures and adjacent vital organs, percutaneous pericardiocentesis can be performed with minimal risk. Since its inception in 1979 (19 years ago), the echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis technique has continued to evolve. Important procedural adaptations and modifications that optimize safety, simplicity, and patient comfort and minimize the recurrence of effusion have been defined and incorporated. This technique has been proved to be safe and effective. A detailed step-by-step description of the procedure and the necessary precautions to optimize success and safety is presented herein.

Thoracoscopic limited pericardial resection with an ultrasonic scalpel

We employed an ultrasonic scalpel, the Harmonic Scalpel (Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Cincinnati, OH), for thoracoscopic limited pericardial resection in consecutive 10 patients with massive pericardial effusion or pericarditis. The mean operative time was 27 minutes for pericardial effusion. No dangerous arrhythmias were induced even in the patient with dense pericardial adhesions. There were no operation-related complications or deaths. The thoracoscopic ultrasonic scalpel technique can be an efficacious minimally invasive alternative for pericardial window.