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