CHSJ

Curr Health Sci J, vol. 39, no. 1, 2013

Purulent Pericardial Effusions with Pericardial Tamponade - Diagnosis and Treatment Issues

[Case Reports]

C.P. PETCU(1), RODICA DILOF(2), C. BATAIOSU(3), P.D. PETCU(3)


(1)University of Medicine ”Carol Davila” Bucharest, Romania;
(2)Department of Thoracic Surgery, Emergency County University Hospital, Craiova, Romania;
(3)Cardiology Centre, Craiova, Romania


Abstract:

Purulent pericarditis is rarely encountered in the antibiotherapy era, mainly in immunosupressed patients, after cardiac operations, in septicemia. Diagnosis of purulent pericarditis is based upon the analysis of pericardial drainage, obtained through pericardiocentesis or preferably, through a surgical approach. The reported case has following peculiarities: clinical signs of false acute surgical abdomen; altered clinical and biological response to infection; Optimal treatment is early, efficient pericardial drainage, with low risk of tissue contamination and of pericardial constriction; Surgical subxyphoid pericardial drainage is prefered in patients with affected general status. Antero-(lateral) thoracic approach with associated anterior pericardiectomy ensures an efficient pericardial drainage and prevents pericardial constriction, with low risks for pleural contamination.


Keywords: purulent pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, diagnosis, treatment



Corresponding: C.P. Petcu, MD, PhD Student, University of Medicine "Carol Davila" Bucharest, RomAnia; mail: pcoryo@yahoo.com


DOI 10.12865/CHSJ.39.01.10 - Download PDF
current issue cover Download cover
Download contents

Journal archive