Pericardial effusion treatment overview
|
Pericardial effusion Microchapters |
|
Diagnosis |
|---|
|
Treatment |
|
Case Studies |
|
Pericardial effusion treatment overview On the Web |
|
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pericardial effusion treatment overview |
|
Risk calculators and risk factors for Pericardial effusion treatment overview |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2]; Varun Kumar, M.B.B.S
Treatment
Treatment depends on the underlying cause and the severity of the heart impairment. Pericardial effusion due to a viral infection usually goes away within a few weeks without treatment. Some pericardial effusions remain small and never need treatment. If the pericardial effusion is due to a condition such as lupus, treatment with anti-inflammatory medications may help. If the effusion is compromising heart function and causing cardiac tamponade, it will need to be drained, most commonly by a needle inserted through the chest wall and into the pericardial space. A drainage tube is often left in place for several days. In some cases, surgical drainage may be required by pericardiocentesis, in which a needle, and sometimes a catheter are used to drain excess fluid.