[Pericardial effusion following surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass].

Of 156 patients who underwent cardiac or aortic surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass, postoperative pericardial effusion was detected in 89 patients (57%). They were divided into four groups according to the size of pericardial effusion: No effusion (group N, n = 66), small effusion (group S, n = 42), moderate effusion (group M, n = 22) and large effusion (group L, n = 25). In group L, 68% of patients had symptoms and 44% had complications such as subxiphoid drainage and constrictive pericarditis. Fewer patients with perioperative pleurotomy were found in group L than group N (p < 0.05). Postoperative anticoagulation did not affect the size of pericardial effusion. Postoperative amount of drainage were larger in groups, S, M, L than group N (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.005). The CRP reelevation rate of each group was equal but the maximum CRP value was higher in group L than group N (p > 0.05). These results suggest that some relationship exists among postoperative drainage, inflammatory response and postoperative pericardial effusion. Since large pericardial effusion is often symptomatic and accompanied by various complications, earlier detection of pericardial effusion and appropriate treatment seems to be essential.