What Is Pericardial Effusion?
Article Sources
- 1. Colombo, A. et al. Etiology and prognostic implications of a large pericardial effusion in men. Clinical Cardiology vol. 11,6 (1988):389-94. doi: 10.1002/clc.4960110606.
- 2. Sagristà-Sauleds, Jaume et al. Diagnosis and management of pericardial effusion. World Journal of Cardiology vol. 3,5 (2011): 135-43. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v3.i5.135.
6. Complications
When there is a significant amount of excess fluid in the pericardium, it can lead to a condition called cardiac tamponade. This is a serious condition that causes pressure on the heart and is a frequent cause of death in people with pericardial effusion. People who have chronic pericardial effusion can be stable for a number of years and then suddenly develop cardiac tamponade.2Sagristà-Sauleds, Jaume et al. Diagnosis and management of pericardial effusion. World Journal of Cardiology vol. 3,5 (2011): 135-43. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v3.i5.135.
Cardiac tamponade prevents the heart from working as it should because it inhibits full expansion of the ventricles during the heartbeat. This reduces blood flow to the rest of the body. It can lead to heart failure, pulmonary edema, shock and death. The condition develops rapidly and requires fast treatment to remove the excess fluid.
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