Pericardial effusion

Causes:

• Pericarditis
• Malignant Pericarditis  – common, occurs in 20-40% of cancer patients
  • Also occurs as a complication of combination Chemotherapy, Radiation Therapy
  • Lung/Breast/Esophageal Cancer
  • Lymphoma/Leukemia
  • Melanoma
• Hemopericardium
  • Heart surgery from post-operative Hemorrhage (common)
  • Myocardial Infarction (free wall ventricular rupture)
  • Aortic aneurysm/Dissection
  • Chest Trauma (especially penetrating Chest Injury)
  • Anticoagulation
• Chylopericardium (milky Pericardial Effusion)
  • Heart surgery from post-operative lymph collection
  • Malignancy (lymphatic obstruction from heart)

Signs/Symptoms

• Symptomatic threshold for Pericardial Effusion

• Acute (rapidly progressive): 200 ml
• Chronic: May not be significantly symptomatic until 1-2 Liters are present