Pericardiocentesis in patients with and without incipient cardiac tamponade due to pericardial effusion. An easy and safe bedside approach.

Fourteen patients with pericardial effusion of various origins underwent pericardiocentesis on 16 occasions. Incipient cardiac tamponade was present on 19 occasions in 12 patients. Pericardiocentesis was carried out bedside under sterile conditions by a trained cardiologist. In case of impaired central circulation, drainage was sufficient to stabilize the clinical condition haemodynamically, and no adverse events occurred during pericardiocentesis. Fenestration of the parietal pericardium was necessary in 5 patients because of rapid regeneration of the fluid and in one patient due to pyopericardium with cardiac constriction. Pericardiocentesis is recommended in incipient cardiac tamponade. In the hands of experienced cardiologists the drainage procedure can be carried out safely without sophisticated equipment.