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European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Vol 5, 430-432, Copyright © 1991 by European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery

ARTICLES

Surgical treatment of large pericardial effusions. Etiology and long- term survival

PS Olsen, C Sorensen and HO Andersen
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery R, Gentofte County Hospital, Hellerup, Denmark.

From 1977 to 1988 60 patients were treated for large pericardial effusion. The operation consisted of a small left anterior thoracotomy with formation of a pericardial window. In 28 patients (47%) the etiology was a malignant disease. Eight patients (29%) had malignant cells in the pericardial fluid and 23 patients (82%) had metastases to the pericardium. Seven patients (12%) had purulent pericarditis; in 4 cases Staphylococcus was found. Of the remaining 25 patients, the etiology remained unknown in 13. The 5-year survival rate was 60% among patients with nonmalignant effusions. In patients with malignant effusions only 20% were alive after 2 years. There were no deaths related to the operation. We conclude that large pericardial effusions of unknown etiology can be safely treated with a small left anterior thoracotomy. This access gives optimal possibilities for rapid diagnosis and treatment.


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H. L. Gornik, M. Gerhard-Herman, and J. A. Beckman
Abnormal Cytology Predicts Poor Prognosis in Cancer Patients With Pericardial Effusion
J. Clin. Oncol., August 1, 2005; 23(22): 5211 - 5216.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


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Copyright © 1991 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier. All rights reserved.