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.
9. Prognosis
The prognosis for pericardial effusion depends largely on the underlying cause and the severity of the condition.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. Individuals who have lung cancer or malignant cells within the pericardium have a poor prognosis.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. Those who develop cardiac tamponade are at high risk for a poor outcome.
People who have a small effusion generally do not experience any complications. The prognosis for those who have idiopathic pericarditis and chronic pericardial effusion is good, though there is a risk of cardiac tamponade with a chronic condition.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. Getting treatment for underlying conditions, such as infections, results in positive outcomes.
Advertisement
