A Simple Modified Technique of Pleuropericardial Window: Towards 0% Recurrence

ABSTRACT Recurrent pericardial effusion is commonly encountered in neoplastic and infective disorders. Intervention is compulsory in patients with unstable hemodynamics and tamponading effusion. Surgical options include: pericardiocentesis, subxiphoid pericardiostomy, and pericardial window. The latter has proved to have lower incidence of recurrence; however, the technique has been continuously refined to improve the recurrence-free survival and decrease postoperative morbidity. We herein present a novel simple modification to minimize recurrence by anchoring the free edges of pericardial fenestration overlying the superior vena cava and right atrium to the chest wall. Follow-up showed no recurrence compared to 3.5% in the conventional procedure.

Comparison of Pericardiocentesis in Post-Cardiac Surgery and Nonsurgical Patients with Pericardial Tamponade

Abstract Introduction: There are several approaches for pericardiocentesis. However, there is no definite suggestion about puncture location after cardiac surgery. The purpose of this study is to examine whether there is any difference regarding puncture location during pericardiocentesis in postoperative cardiac tamponade comparing to nonsurgical cardiac tamponade. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients who had undergone pericardiocentesis from August 2011 to December 2019. Patients were examined in two groups, nonsurgical and postsurgical, based on the etiology of pericardial tamponade. Clinical profiles, echocardiographic findings, and procedural outcomes were identified and compared. Results: Sixty-eight pericardiocenteses were performed in this period. The etiology of pericardial effusion was cardiac surgery in 27 cases and nonsurgical medical conditions in 41 cases. Baseline demographic variables were similar between the surgical and nonsurgical groups. Loculated effusion was more common in the postsurgical group (48.1% vs. 4.9%, P<0.001). Maximal fluid locations were different between the groups; right ventricular location was more common in the nonsurgical group (36.6% vs. 11.1%, P=0.02), while lateral location was more common in the postsurgical group (12.2% vs. 40.7%, P=0.007). Apical drainage was more frequently performed in the postsurgical group compared to the nonsurgical group (77.8% vs. 53.7%, P=0.044). Conclusion: Apical approach as a puncture location can be used more frequently than subxiphoid approach for effusions occurred after cardiac surgery compared to nonsurgical effusions. Procedural success is prominent in this group and can be the first choice of treatment.

Utilidad de la tomografía computarizada multicorte para la estimación de la composición del derrame pericárdico / Usefulness of computed tomography densities to estimate the composition of pericardial effusion

Resumen El derrame pericárdico (DP) es una entidad frecuente en la práctica diaria, que puede ocurrir por un amplio rango de patologías. Los métodos por imágenes constituyen una herramienta diagnóstica clave en la evaluación del pericardio. El ecocardiograma transtorácico (ETT) se considera de primera línea por su costo-efectividad. La tomografía computarizada multicorte (TCMC), por su parte, representa un valioso complemento ante limitaciones del ETT y en la evaluación de urgencia del paciente con sospecha de DP. El objetivo del trabajo es mostrar la utilidad y rol de la TCMC, mediante la medición de densidades, para estimar la etiología del DP, ilustrado con casos de nuestra institución.

Abstract Pericardial effusion (PE) is a common entity in daily practice, which can occur due to a wide range of conditions. Imaging methods are a key diagnostic tool in the evaluation of the pericardium. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) is the first line imaging method because of its cost-effectiveness. Multi-slice Computed Tomography (MSCT), on the other hand, represents a valuable complement to the limitations of TTE and in emergency evaluation of the patient with suspected PE. The objective of this review is to show the usefulness and role of the MSCT —through the measurement of densities— to estimate the etiology of PE, illustrated with cases of our Institution.

What is the ideal approach for emergent pericardiocentesis using point-of-care ultrasound guidance? / 世界急诊医学杂志（英文）

@#BACKGROUND: Traditionally performed using a subxiphoid approach, the increasing use of point-of-care ultrasound in the emergency department has made other approaches (parasternal and apical) for pericardiocentesis viable. The aim of this study is to identify the ideal approach for emergency-physician-performed ultrasound-guided pericardiocentesis as determined by ultrasound image quality, distance from surface to pericardial fluid, and likely obstructions or complications. METHODS: A retrospective review of point-of-care cardiac ultrasound examinations was performed in two urban academic emergency departments for the presence of pericardial effusions. The images were reviewed for technical quality, distance of effusion from skin surface, and predicted complications. RESULTS: A total of 166 pericardial effusions were identified during the study period. The mean skin-to-pericardial fluid distance was 5.6 cm (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 5.2-6.0 cm) for the subxiphoid views, which was significantly greater than that for the parasternal (2.7 cm [95% CI 2.5-2.8 cm], P<0.001) and apical (2.5 cm [95% CI 2.3-2.7 cm], P<0.001) views. The subxiphoid view had the highest predicted complication rate at 79.7% (95% CI 71.5%-86.4%), which was significantly greater than the apical (31.9%; 95% CI 21.4%-44.0%, P<0.001) and parasternal (20.2%; 95% CI 12.8%-29.5%, P<0.001) views. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that complication rates with pericardiocentesis will be lower via the parasternal or apical approach compared to the subxiphoid approach. The distance from skin to fluid collection is the least in both of these views.

Taponamiento cardíaco por hemopericardio atraumático / Nontraumatic hemopericardium and cardiac tamponade

Objetivo: el taponamiento cardiaco por causas clínicas es una entidad rara y de difícil diagnóstico. Metodología: se reporta el caso de una paciente atendida en el nivel de mediana complejidad por taponamiento cardiaco de origen oncológico de novo. Se analiza la fisiopatología del derrame, causas etiológicas del taponamiento cardiaco, presentación clínica, valor de las ayudas diagnósticas a la mano en estos casos y las utilizadas en situaciones especiales, así como el manejo de esta patología

Objective: Cardiac tamponade for clinical causes is a rare and difficult to diagnose entity. Methodology: we report the case of a female patient treated at a mid-level hospital for cardiac tamponade due to de novo metastatic disease. The physiopathology of the effusion, etiological causes, clinical manifestations, value of diagnostic aids available for these cases and those used in special situations, as well as the management of this pathology, were analyzed

Tratamiento quirúrgico de la pericarditis purulenta: reporte de un caso / Surgical treatment of purulent pericarditis: report of a case

Resumen Introducción: La pericarditis es la enfermedad del pericardio más presente en la práctica médica. La pericarditis purulenta representa el 5% de ellas, con una mortalidad de hasta el 40%. Caso Clínico: Se presenta un paciente masculino, de 27 años de edad, con antecedentes de hipotiroidismo que ingresa con tos y expectoración amarillenta, asociado a fiebre, que resolvió con tratamiento antibiótico. Un mes después, reingresa con dolor abdominal, astenia y disnea intensa que no tolera el decúbito. Se indica ecocardiograma, que diagnostica derrame pericárdico severo, con colapso de cavidades derechas. Se procedió a pericardiocentesis de emergencia, donde se extrajeron 450 mililitros de líquido purulento. En el seguimiento ecocardiográfico a las 48 h, se observa aumento del derrame, por lo que se decide tratamiento quirúrgico, mediante toracotomía anterolateral izquierda, encontrando derrame purulento y engrosamiento pericárdico de 6 mm, con múltiples adherencias. Se indica pericardiectomía parcial. El paciente evolucionó favorablemente, egresándose 7 días posteriores a la cirugía.

Introduction: Pericarditis is frecuent pericardial disease in medical practice. The purulent pericarditis represents 5%, with a mortality of up to 40%. Case Report: We present a male patient, 27 years old, with a history of hypothyroidism that enters with cough and yellowish expectoration, associated with fever, resolved with antibiotic treatment. One month later, he reenters with abdominal pain, asthenia and intense dyspnea that does not tolerate decubitus. Echocardiogram diagnosed severe pericardial effusion, with collapse of right cavities. Emergency pericardiocentesis was performed and 450 milliliters of purulent fluid were extracted. In the echocardiographic follow-up at 48 hours, an increase in the effusion was observed, was decided surgical treatment by left anterolateral thoracotomy, finding purulent effusion and pericardial thickening of 6 mm, with multiple adhesions. Partial pericardiectomy is indicated. The patient evolved favorably, leaving 7 days after surgery.

Modificaciones a la técnica clásica de pericardiotomía inferior longitudinal simple de Sauerbruch / Modifications to the classic simple-longitudinal inferior pericardiotomy (Sauerbruch technique)

RESUMEN Desde la década de 1960 la pericardiotomía subxifoidea se ha convertido en uno de los procedimientos quirúrgicos preferidos para evacuar, de forma rápida y segura, derrames pericárdicos de múltiples etiologías, obtener biopsias, colocar electrodos epicárdicos, e incluso reparar perforaciones cardíacas. Erróneamente existe la creencia de que esta cirugía requiere instrumental quirúrgico específico y personal especialmente entrenado; pero lo cierto es que todo médico que labore en un servicio de emergencia debe conocer la técnica y estar preparado para realizarla rápidamente. Desde que se describió la incisión longitudinal, originalmente con la intención de reparar una herida cardíaca a través del diafragma, varios autores han intentado simplificar la técnica mediante la introducción de innovaciones. En este trabajo se presentan algunas sencillas maniobras que pueden facilitar el abordaje subxifoideo al pericardio y acortar el tiempo de cirugía.

ABSTRACT Since the 1960s, subxyphoid pericardiotomy has become one of the preferred surgical procedures for rapidly and safely evacuating pericardial effusions of different etiologies, obtaining biopsies, placing epicardial electrodes, and even repairing cardiac perforations. This surgery is erroneously thought to require specific surgical instruments and specially trained personnel; but the plain fact is that any doctor working in an emergency department must know the technique and be ready to perform it at any time. Since the longitudinal incision was described, originally attempting to repair a cardiac wound through the diaphragm, some authors have tried to simplify the procedure through innovations. In this article we present some simple maneuvers that may facilitate subxiphoid pericardial access and shorten the surgery time.

Pericardiocentesis can be nasty. Accidents do occur while “Rail-roading” Sheaths and pigtails!

Pericardiocentesis is a challenging procedure and complications may vary depending on the patient-specific risk factors and procedural indications. Cardiac chamber perforation and the subsequent insertion of pigtail catheter into the main pulmonary artery are an unreported mishap during attempted pericardiocentesis. This potentially life-threatening complication is completely preventable by identification of high-risk patients and appropriate use of available technologies. Adjunctive imaging decreases procedural risk for difficult-to-access pericardial fluid collections and must be used to prevent inadvertent morbidities.

Disappearance of pericardial effusion by suspected pericardial-pleural fistulain a Miniature Schnauzer dog / 대한수의학회지

A 13-year-old spayed female Miniature Schnauzer was presented with complaints of intermittent syncope. Pericardial effusion was confirmed based on the physical examination, thoracic radiographs and echocardiography. Subsequently, prompt pericardiocentesis was performed. Clinical abnormalities were immediately improved after pericardiocentesis. However, the clinical signs associated with acute collapse recurred. After the second pericardiocentesis, thoracic radiographs revealed pleural effusion, and the clinical signs resolved rapidly. The dog underwent pleural aspiration. Analysis of pleural fluid revealed almost similar features as the previous pericardial fluid. It was possible that a pericardial-pleural fistula was created during the pericardiocentesis. The pericardial and pleural effusion disappeared after the procedures.

Efficacy and Safety Outcomes of Catheter Ablation of Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation in Korean Practice: Analysis of Nationwide Claims Data

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and selected adverse events of radiofrequency catheter ablation in patients treated for drug-refractory atrial fibrillation (AF) using claims data provided by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, which covers all ablation procedures conducted in South Korea. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The study population included patients who underwent catheter ablation for AF between January 2011 and December 2013. A total of 3,850 patients without a previous history of catheter ablation procedure were enrolled. We analyzed 2-year effectiveness of the index ablation. Any redo ablation, electrical cardioversion, or use of antiarrhythmic drug beyond the blanking period of 3 months was considered a failure of index ablation. RESULTS: Overall recurrence rate following AF ablation was 61.1%. The recurrence rate was lower in patients under 65 years old than in those over 65 years old (hazard ratio [HR] 0.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81 to 0.97, P=0.009). Repeat ablation was more frequent in men (HR 1.56; 95% CI, 1.20 to 2.04; P=0.001) and patients under 65 years old (HR 1.79; 95% CI, 1.34 to 2.38; P < 0.001). Electric cardioversion was more frequent in men (HR 1.35; 95% CI, 1.06 to 1.72; P=0.014) than in women. The overall rate of stroke, blood transfusion, significant pericardial complication, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was 0.5%, 4.8%, 2.7%, and 0.2%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, old age was associated with treatment failure of catheter ablation for drug-refractory AF in the Korean population. Overall recurrence did not vary with respect to sex.

Early Detection of Hidden Adenocarcinoma through the Prompt Pericardiocentesis in Patient with Small Pericardial Effusion / 이화의대지

Pericardial drainage is an important diagnostic and therapeutic option in the symptomatic patient with large amount of pericardial effusion (PE). However, when the amount of PE is relatively small, physicians are often reluctant to perform the invasive drainage of the fluid due to the increased risk of causing myocardial injury during the procedure. Even in some cases of suspected pericarditis with small amount PE, an initial empirical anti-inflammatory therapy is often recommended. A 65-year-old woman presented with mild dyspnea for two weeks. The echocardiography revealed small amount of PE. A careful fluoroscopy-guided pericardiocentesis, subsequent pericardial fluid cytology, and thorough whole body check-up demonstrated adenocarcinoma with no proven primary site. After the palliative chemotherapy, she had survived for 15 months until her death due to asphyxia. Although pericardiocentesis is considered dangerous in small amount of PE, a prompt and careful drainage may provide early detection of hidden malignancy and better survival outcome.

Case report: A case of pericardial effusion presenting to primary care

This is a rare but interesting case of Mr. MZ who had a lifethreatening pericardial effusion presenting to the primary care clinic. Through great clinical acumen and prudent targeted investigations, diagnosis of this rare condition was reached and urgent referral made to the cardiology team which performed an emergency pericardiocentesis which proved to be life -saving. However, the hovering poor prognosis of Mr. MZ may prompt for a referral to the palliative care team to provide quality end of life care for this unfortunate patient.

Derrame pericárdico maligno secundario a adenocarcinoma de pulmón: Reporte de caso / Malignant Pericardial Effusion Secondary to Lung Adenocarcinoma: Case Report

Introduction: Malignant pericardial effusion is the accumulation of liquid in the pericardial space secondary to advanced stage neoplasia, becoming in an indicator of bad prognosis. Malignant tumors that are most often related to this entity are the ones from pulmonary, mammary, and hematolymphoid origin. Clinically, it may present imminent signs of cardiac tamponade and hemodynamic instability, so that it merits an early diagnosis and management with emerging decompression maneuvers. Objective: This article presents a malignant pericardial effusion case, since this clinical condition implies a diagnostic challenge. Case presentation and Conclusions: A case of a 63 year old male patient is presented. He has one month of clinical evolution characterized by cervical adenopathies, also in the past fifteen days has been presenting precocious satiety, nocturnal sweating, sensation of distended abdomen, and functional class deterioration to having dyspnea during small physical efforts. This was the reason why he went to the emergency room. During the medical observation, the patient quickly deteriorates to hemodynamic instability, refractory to treatment. Some imaging studies were performed, which show severe pericardial effusion so a decompressive pericardiocentesis and a multidisciplinary integral management were performed...(AU)

Introducción: El derrame pericárdico maligno es la acumulación de líquido en el espacio pericárdico secundario a neoplasias en estadios avanzados, siendo así, un indicador de mal pronóstico. Los tumores malignos que con mayor frecuencia se relacionan con esta entidad son los de origen pulmonar, mamario y hematolinfoides. Clínicamente puede cursar con signos inminentes de taponamiento cardiaco e inestabilidad hemodinámica, por lo que amerita un diagnóstico temprano y manejo urgente con maniobras de descompresión. Objetivo: Este articulo busca presentar un caso de derrame pericárdico maligno, debido a que esta condición clínica implica un reto diagnóstico. Presentación del caso y conclusiones: Presentamos el caso de un paciente masculino de 63 años de edad, con cuadro clínico de 1 mes de evolución, caracterizado por presencia de adenopatías cervicales, quien en los últimos 15 días presenta saciedad precoz, sudoración nocturna, sensación de distensión abdominal y deterioro de la clase funcional hasta disnea de pequeños esfuerzos, motivo por el cual consulta al servicio de urgencias. Durante la observación médica rápidamente progresa a inestabilidad hemodinámica, refractaria a manejo; se realizan estudios imagenológicos, en donde se evidencia derrame pericárdico severo, por lo que se procede a realizar pericardiocentesis descompresiva emergente y manejo integral multidisciplinario...(AU)

Introdução: o derrame pericárdico maligno é o acúmulo de líquido no espaço pericárdico secundário a neoplasias em estádios avançados, sendo, portanto, um indicador de mau prognóstico. Os tumores malignos, frequentemente associados a esta categoría, são aqueles de origem pulmonar, mamária e hematolinfóides. Clinicamente, podem apresentar sinais iminentes de tamponamento cardíaco e instabilidade hemodinâmica, o que justifica um diagnóstico precoce e tratamento urgente com manejo de descompressão. Objetivo: Este artigo tem como objetivo apresentar um caso de derrame pericárdico maligno, pois esta condição clínica implica um desafio diagnóstico. Apresentação e conclusões do caso: apresentamos o caso de um paciente do sexo masculino de 63 anos, com o quadro clínico de 1 mês de evolução, caracterizado pela presença de linfadenopatia cervical, que nos últimos 15 dias apresenta saciedade precoce, sudação noturna, distensão abdominal e deterioração da classe funcional até a dispnéia de pequenos esforços, motivo pelo qual consulta o serviço de emergência. Durante a observação médica, ele progride rapidamente para a instabilidade hemodinâmica, refratária ao manejo; Estudos de imagem são realizados, nos quais o derrame pericárdico grave é evidente, por isso é necessário realizar pericardiocentese descompressiva emergente e gerenciamento integral multidisciplinar...(AU)

Pneumopericardium: A Rare Complication of Pericardiocentesis

Pneumopericardium is defined by the presence of air in the pericardial cavity. It is a rare entity occurring most commonly after trauma. Pneumopericardium resulting after pericardiocentesis is even rarer. We report a case of 46-year-old man, with end-stage renal disease on chronic hemodialysis and who developed a large circumferential pericardial effusion of 40 mm in diastole with swinging heart and diastolic right atrium collapse requiring pericardiocentesis. Few days after, the patient complained of pleuritic chest pain and echocardiogram revealed several tiny sparkling echogenic spots swirling in the pericardial sac. Computed tomography scans revealed a marked anterior pneumopericardium that was conservatively managed.

Tension Pneumopericardium after Pericardiocentesis

Pneumopericardium is defined as the presence of air inside the pericardial space. Usually, it is reported as a complication of blunt or penetrating chest trauma, but rare iatrogenic and spontaneous cases have been reported. Pneumopericardium is relatively stable if it does not generate a tension effect on the heart. However, it may progress to tension pneumopericardium, which requires immediate pericardial aspiration. We report a case of iatrogenic pneumopericardium occurred in a 70-year-old man who presented dyspnea at emergency department. The patient underwent pericardiocentesis for cardiac tamponade due to large pericardial effusion, and iatrogenic tension pneumopericardium occurred due to misuse of the drainage device. After evacuating the pericardial air through the previously implanted catheter, the patient became stable. We report this case to increase the awareness of this fatal condition and to help increase the use of precautions against the development of this condition during emergency procedures.

Uremic Pericarditis Accompanying Cardiac Tamponade after Emergency Hemodialysis / 계명의대학술지

Although the incidence of uremic pericarditis was high in the past, it has decreased in recent decades with early and appropriate dialysis. However, cardiac tamponade caused by uremic pericarditis is still a life-threatening emergency and it requires urgent management. Herein we report a case of 38-year-old man with chronic renal disease who represented critical uremic pericarditis followed by cardiac tamponade despite of appropriate hemodialysis. Careful consideration of risk factors and aggressive treatment are very important for effective and safe treatment of uremic pericarditis and cardiac tamponade.

Cardiac Rupture of the Junction of the Right Atrium and Superior Vena Cava in Blunt Thoracic Trauma / 대한중환자의학회지

Cardiac rupture following blunt thoracic trauma is rarely encountered, since it commonly causes death at the scene. With advances in critical care, blunt cardiac rupture has been successfully treated with well-organized team approach including an emergency physician, anesthesiologist, and cardiac surgeon. We encountered a patient with blunt cardiac rupture of the junction of the superior vena cava and right atrium that extended 7 cm to the right ventricular junction. The patient was successfully resuscitated after a closed thoracostomy and pericardiocentesis with fluid loading. Cardiac injury was repaired via mid-sternotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient recovered without complications and was discharged on the 7th day after surgery.

Cardiac Rupture of the Junction of the Right Atrium and Superior Vena Cava in Blunt Thoracic Trauma / 대한구급학회지

Cardiac rupture following blunt thoracic trauma is rarely encountered, since it commonly causes death at the scene. With advances in critical care, blunt cardiac rupture has been successfully treated with well-organized team approach including an emergency physician, anesthesiologist, and cardiac surgeon. We encountered a patient with blunt cardiac rupture of the junction of the superior vena cava and right atrium that extended 7 cm to the right ventricular junction. The patient was successfully resuscitated after a closed thoracostomy and pericardiocentesis with fluid loading. Cardiac injury was repaired via mid-sternotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient recovered without complications and was discharged on the 7th day after surgery.

Tratamiento quirúrgico de las colecciones agudas y crónicas del pericardio / Surgical treatment of acute and chronic collections of the pericardium

Introducción: las colecciones agudas o crónicas del pericardio con frecuencia producen una compresión del corazón que en los casos crónicos conlleva invalidez y, en los agudos, peligro de muerte por taponamiento cardíaco. Objetivo: caracterizar a los pacientes intervenidos quirúrgicamente en el Hospital Universitario Comandante Manuel Fajardo entre 1995 y 2012 a causa de colecciones pericárdicas. Métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal con los pacientes atendidos quirúrgicamente en dicha institución por colecciones del pericardio. Constituyeron el universo 24 pacientes: 22 con colecciones agudas y 2 con colecciones crónicas. Resultados: la causa más frecuente de los derrames agudos fue la pericarditis aguda idiopática (25 por ciento). Las colecciones crónicas fueron por pericarditis fibrosa de causa idiopática en el 100 por ciento de los enfermos. La intervención realizada fue la resección del pericardio y el drenaje de las colecciones agudas mediante toracotomía izquierda o por vía preperitoneal subxifoidea. En las colecciones de origen maligno se realizó la resección pericárdica con fines paliativos y, en los derrames por lesión traumática del corazón, la sutura de este órgano fue el tratamiento quirúrgico empleado en todos los casos. En las pericarditis constrictivas, la pericardiectomía radical fue el tratamiento empleado en el 100 por ciento de los casos. Conclusiones: el tratamiento quirúrgico en las colecciones agudas y crónicas del pericardio permite drenar el contenido por una ventana pericárdica obtenida por toracoscopia o por vía preperitoneal subxifoidea, mientras que la toracotomía izquierda es útil en las emergencias. En los derrames crónicos con fibrosis y síntomas de insuficiencia cardíaca, la pericardiectomía radical mediante esternotomía media ofrece los mejores resultados(AU)

Introduction: chronic and acute collections of the pericardium often cause heart compression in chronic cases leading to disability and risk of death by acute cardiac tamponade. Objective: to describe the results of surgically treating patients who suffered pericardial collections in Comandante Manuel Fajardo hospital during the 1995 to 2012 period. Methods: across-sectional descriptive study of 24 surgical patients, 22 with acute pericardial collections and two with chronic pericardial collections. Results: the most frequent cause of acute pericardial effusions was acute idiopathic pericarditis (25 percent). Chronic collections resulted from fibrotic pericarditis of unknown origin in 100 percent of patients. The surgical procedure was excision of the pericardium and drainage of the acute collection through left sided thoracotomy or the subxyphoid pre-peritoneal route. In the case of malignancy, palliative resection was performed and in the case of traumatic heart injure, the treatment of choice was suture of this organ in all the cases. Constrictive pericarditis was managed by radical pericardiodectomy in 100 percent of cases. Conclusions: the surgical treatment of acute and chronic collections of the pericardium allows draining through a pericardial opening created by thoracoscopy or subxyphoid preperitoneal route. The best technique in emergencies was left thoracotomy. In the chronic collections with fibrosis and heart failure symptoms, the radical pericardiodectomy performed by means of middle sternotomy offers the best results(AU)