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Echocardiographic Observations

Premindra A. N. Chandraratna, MD; Wilbert S. Aronow, MD

JAMA. 1979;242(10):1062-1063.

Abstract
To assess the efficacy of surgical methods of pericardial drainage in preventing the accumulation of pericardial effusion, we performed M-mode and cross-sectional echocardiograms in 26 patients before and one week after the creation of a pericardial window or leaving the pericardium open after cardiac surgery. A pericardial window was created in six patients (group 1) who had pericardial effusions. Group 2 consisted of 20 patients who had heart surgery. Echocardiography disclosed moderate or large pericardial effusions preoperatively in all group 1 patients but in none of the group 2 patients. Following operation, three of the group 1 patients had complete clearing of pericardial effusion, while three showed reaccumulation. In group 2, thirteen patients had either no effusion or a small effusion. Seven patients had moderate or large pericardial effusions that were located posterior to the heart; only one had an anterior pericardial effusion. Cross-sectional echocardiography showed posterior loculation of effusion in six of the seven patients. Pericardial drainage is not always effective in preventing accumulation of pericardial effusions.

(JAMA 242:1062-1063, 1979)

Author Affiliations
From the Division of Cardiology, Medical Service, Long Beach (Calif) Veterans Administration Hospital; and the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine.

Footnotes
Reprint requests to Division of Cardiology, Long Beach Veterans Administration Hospital, 5901 E Seventh St, Long Beach, CA 90822 (Dr Chandraratna).

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