Pericardial Effusion Flashcards
What is a Pericardial effusion?
Pericardial fluid above NL physiologic amount
How much pericardial fluid drastically increases the chances of a tamponade?
> 250mL
Pericardial effusion due to increased capillary permeability is due to?
Severe hypothyroidism
Pericardial effusion due to increased capillary hydrostatic pressure is due to?
CHF
Pericardial effusion due to decreased plasma on oncotic pressure is due to?
Cirrhosis
What are the two types of pericardial effusion?
Silent and Symptomatic cardiac pressure
What are the factors causing pericardial effusion to become symptomatic?
VOLUME of effusion
RATE of effusion
COMPLIANCE of pericardium (Stretch)
What happens to JVP waveform w/ pericardial effusion?
Dominant “X” descent
Why does hiccups occur in pericardial effusion?
Phrenic nerve irritation
Why does Dysphagia occur w/ pericardial effusion?
Esophagus compression
Why does hoarseness occur / pericardial effusion?
Laryngeal nerve compression
What happens to pulses w/ pericardial effusion?
Arterial pulse decreases maybe
Decreased pulse pressure
What can you expect on an EKG of pericardial effusion?
Flat T-waves
Low voltage
What is the benefit of using an Echo for a pericardial effusion?
Can ID small quantity of effusion (20mL)
Quantify volume & ventricle filling
Needle placement for pericardialcentesis
What laboratory test should be considered if you have a young female w/ acute PC or pericardial effusion?
ANA (SLE-Nonspecific)
What are the benefits of pericardialcentesis?
Diagnostic
Therapeutic
What is the most important TXT guideline for pericardial effusion?
TXT unnderlying cause
For a symptomatic pt w/ pericardial effusion how should the be TXT?
Freq observation w/ serial echos
How should a symptomatic pt w/ pericardial effusion Be treated?
- Drain
- RPT drain if needed
- Pericardiectomy (last resort - all or portion)
What are two methods of pericardial effusion draining?
Pericardialcentesis
Percutaneous cath
What is pericardiectomy?
Full or partial removal of pericardial sac
