Research Notes on Pericardial Effusion
Pericardial effusion is the medical term for a fluid collection located between the heart and its pericardial sac. Because there is a limited amount of space between the two layers of the pericardium which surround the heart, the extra fluid can negatively affect heart function. Small effusions may present no symptoms while a greater amount of fluid can cause chest pain and pressure. Treatment is dependent on the cause and how severely the heart function is being impaired.
Fast Facts:
- Some causes for pericardial effusion include pericarditis, viral infections, lupus, and cancer.
- Treatment is aimed at the underlying cause and typically includes anti-inflammatory medications (i.e., NSAIDs or corticosteroids), drainage via needle aspiration, or a procedure called a pericardial window.
- If left untreated and the heart is no longer able to pump, cardiac tamponade will result - a life threatening condition which may lead to cardiac arrest.
5 Great Resources on Pericardial Effusion
- eMedicine: Pericardial Effusion
- Cleveland Clinic: Pericardial Effusion
- JAMA: Pericardial Effusion (April 25, 2007)
- RJ Matthews MD: Pericardial Effusion
- YouTube: Unusual Pericardial Effusion on Echocardiogram
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5 Latest Headlines on Pericardial Effusion
What is Pericardial Effusion?
- MedTerms (via eMedicineHealth): Definition of Pericadial Effusion
- Gale Encyclopedia (via Healthline): Pericaridal Effusion: Definition
- Wikipedia: Pericardial Effusion
What are the Symptoms of Pericardial Effusion?
- Mayo Clinic: Ask A Heart Disease Specialist: Pericardial Effusion: What Are the Symptoms of Pericardial Effusion?
- Wikipedia: Pericardial Effusion: Symptoms
- About.com: What is Pericardial Effusion: Symptoms of Pericardial Effusion
What are the Causes and Complications of Pericardial Effusion?
- WrongDiagnosis: Causes of Pericardial Effusion
- Gale Encyclopedia (via Healthline): Pericardial Effusion: Causes
- Wikipedia: Pericardial Effusion: Causes
What are the Treatments and Medications for Pericardial Effusion?
- Gale Encyclopedia (via Healthline): Pericardial Effusion: Treatments
- About.com: What is Pericardial Effusion: Treating Pericardial Effusion
- Cleveland Clinic: Pericardial Effusion: Procedures to Treat Pericardial Effusion
What are the Holistic and Alternative Treatments for Pericardial Effusion?
- A.D.A.M. (via HealthandAge): Pericarditis: Complementary and Alternative Therapies
- Answers.com: Pericardial Effusion: Alternative and Complementary Therapies
- Baptist Hospital East: Pericarditis: Treatment Options: Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Wisdom, Blogs, and Message Boards about Pericardial Effusion
- Yahoo Answers: What Are the Treatment Plans for a Person with Pericardial Effusion?
- Google Groups: Pericardial Effusion Discussion
- HealthBoards: 22F w/ Pericardial Effusion
- Matthew's Road: Another Echo
Foundations and Support Groups on Pericardial Effusion
- AHA: American Heart Association
- WHF: Women's Heart Foundation
- Mayo Clinic: Heart Disease Support Groups
Scientific and Medical Journal Articles on Pericardial Effusion
- PubMed Central: List of Articles About Pericardial Effusion
- Google Scholar: Pericardial Effusion Article Listing
- JAMA: Archive of Pericardial Effusion Articles
Clinical Trials on Pericardial Effusion
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Clinical Trials of Pericardial Effusion
- CenterWatch: Clinical Trials of Pericardial Effusion
User Recommended Links for Pericardial Effusion
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About this WisdomCard
- Contributor: SScroggins
- Reviewer: Tara
- Supervised by: The OrganizedWisdom Physician Review Team
- Last update: Oct. 2, 2008
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