View source for Pericardial effusion diagnostic study of choice

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{{Pericardial effusion}}
{{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{RAK}}
== Overview ==
There is no single diagnostic study of choice for the diagnosis of pericardial effusion. Pericardial effusion is primarily diagnosed based on the clinical evaluation along with electrocardiographic and chest radiograph findings, which may suggest the presence of a pericardial effusion. Echocardiography must be performed in all patients with possible pericardial effusion

== Diagnostic Study of Choice ==

=== Study of choice ===

* There is no single diagnostic study of choice for the diagnosis of pericardial effusion.
* Pericardial effusion is primarily diagnosed based on the clinical evaluation along with electrocardiographic and chest radiograph findings, which may suggest the presence of a pericardial effusion.
* Echocardiography must be performed in all patients with possible pericardial effusion.<ref name="pmid26320112">{{cite journal| author=Adler Y, Charron P, Imazio M, Badano L, Barón-Esquivias G, Bogaert J et al.| title=2015 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases: The Task Force for the Diagnosis and Management of Pericardial Diseases of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)Endorsed by: The European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). | journal=Eur Heart J | year= 2015 | volume= 36 | issue= 42 | pages= 2921-2964 | pmid=26320112 | doi=10.1093/eurheartj/ehv318 | pmc= | url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&tool=sumsearch.org/cite&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=26320112  }} </ref>
*[[Echocardiography]] is an excellent method for detection and estimation of the size of pericardial effusions.

===== Sequence of Diagnostic Studies =====
The various investigations must be performed in the following order:

*[[Electrocardiography]]
* Chest x-ray
*[[Atrial fibrillation|Echocardiography]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}