What procedure will allow excess pericardial fluid to drain into the pleural space quizlet?

Pericardiocentesis is a procedure done to remove fluid that has built up in the sac around the heart (pericardium). It's done using a needle and small catheter to drain excess fluid.

A fibrous sac known as the pericardium surrounds the heart. This sac is made of two thin layers with a small amount of fluid between them. This fluid reduces friction between the layers as they rub against each other when the heart beats. In some cases, too much fluid builds up between these two layers. This is called pericardial effusion. When this happens, it can affect the normal function of the heart. Pericardiocentesis drains this fluid and prevents future fluid buildup.

During pericardiocentesis, a doctor inserts a needle through the chest wall and into the tissue around the heart. Once the needle is inside the pericardium, the doctor inserts a long, thin tube called a catheter. The doctor uses the catheter to drain excess fluid. The catheter may come right out after the procedure. Or it may stay in place for several hours or overnight. This is to make sure all the fluid has drained, and to prevent fluid from building up again.

Why might I need pericardiocentesis?

Many medical conditions can cause fluid to build up around the heart. This fluid buildup can cause shortness of breath and chest pain. This may be treatable with medicine. In other cases, this fluid buildup is life threatening and needs draining right away.

Pericardiocentesis can help drain the fluid around the heart. And it can help diagnose the cause of the extra fluid. Conditions that can cause pericardial effusion include:

  • Infection of the heart or pericardial sac
  • Cancer
  • Inflammation of the pericardial sac due to a heart attack
  • Injury
  • Immune system disease
  • Reactions to certain drugs
  • Radiation
  • Metabolic causes, like kidney failure with uremia

Sometimes the cause of fluid buildup is unknown.

Pericardiocentesis is not the only method to remove fluid around the heart. However, it is preferred because it is less invasive than surgery. Sometimes doctors surgically drain the fluid. This may be done in people who have had chronic fluid buildup or inflammation, in people who might need part of the pericardium removed, or in people whose fluid has certain characteristics.

What are the risks of pericardiocentesis?

All procedures have some risks. The risks of pericardiocentesis include:

  • Puncturing the heart, which may require surgery to repair
  • Puncturing the liver
  • Excess bleeding, which might compress the heart and affect its normal function
  • Air in the chest cavity
  • Infection
  • Abnormal heart rhythms (which can cause death in rare instances)
  • Heart failure with fluid in the lungs (rare)

There is also a chance that the fluid around the heart will come back. If this happens, you might need to repeat the procedure, or you might eventually need all or part of your pericardium removed.

Your own risks may vary according to your age, your general health, and the reason for your procedure or type of surgery you have. They may also vary depending on the anatomy of the heart, fluid, and pericardium. Talk with your healthcare provider to find out what risks may apply to you.

How do I get ready for pericardiocentesis?

Ask your doctor how to prepare for pericardiocentesis. You will probably need to avoid eating and drinking for 6 hours or more before the procedure. Ask the doctor whether you need to stop taking any medicines before the procedure.

The doctor may want some extra tests before the surgery. These might include:

  • Chest X-ray
  • Electrocardiogram (ECG), to check the heart rhythm
  • Blood tests, to assess general health
  • Echocardiogram, to view blood flow through the heart and the fluid around the heart
  • CT or MRI, if the doctor needs more information about the heart
  • Heart catheterization, to measure the pressure within the heart

What happens during pericardiocentesis?

Talk to your doctor about what will happen during your procedure. A cardiologist and a surgical team will do the procedure. The following is a description of catheter-based pericardiocentesis, the most common form. In general:

Which treatment is indicated for a patient diagnosed with uremic pericarditis?

Patients with uremic pericarditis who are not already receiving dialysis should initiate dialysis. In patients already receiving dialysis for over two months (dialysis-associated pericarditis), the dialysis prescription is usually intensified.

What is a definitive treatment for constrictive pericarditis?

Pericardiectomy remains the only definitive treatment for constrictive pericarditis. Pericardiectomy, particularly complete pericardiectomy, is indicated once the diagnosis of CP has been confirmed.

Which medication would the nurse expect to see prescribed to reduce reoccurrence of pericarditis in a patient after an initial diagnosis?

Colchicine can help control the inflammation and prevent pericarditis from returning weeks or even months later. Your provider may also prescribe a steroid medicine called prednisone, especially if you have kidney disease that makes it difficult for you to take ibuprofen and colchicine.

Which position would the patient with pericarditis who reports severe substernal chest pain be placed in?

Patients usually feel better in a sitting position. The pain is usually substernal and accompanied by a sensation of chest constriction. Any movement of the chest, including respiratory motion, increases the pain. Sitting up and leaning forward may reduce the pain.