Management of Acute and Recurrent Pericarditis: JACC State-of-the-Art Review.

Pericarditis refers to the inflammation of the pericardial layers, resulting from a variety of stimuli triggering a stereotyped immune response, and characterized by chest pain associated often with peculiar electrocardiographic changes and, at times, accompanied by pericardial effusion. Acute pericarditis is generally self-limited and not life-threatening; yet, it may cause significant short-term disability, be complicated by either a large pericardial effusion or tamponade, and carry a significant risk of recurrence. The mainstay of treatment of pericarditis is represented by anti-inflammatory drugs. Anti-inflammatory treatments vary, however, in both effectiveness and side-effect profile. The objective of this review is to summarize the up-to-date management of acute and recurrent pericarditis.

Taponamiento cardiaco como primera manifestación de una neoplasia de pulmón / Cardiac tamponade as first manifestation of a lung neoplasm

INTRODUCCIÓN: En el taponamiento cardiaco existe restricción del llenado del corazón debido a un incremento de la presión de la cavidad pericárdica secundario a derrame pericárdico. Este aumento puede alcanzar valores que lleguen a superar las presiones fisiológicas de las cavidades derechas, comprometiendo así el llene de éstas, afectando secundariamente la precarga del ventrículo izquierdo. PRESENTACIÓN DEL CASO: Paciente de 52 años, sexo masculino, con antecedentes de tabaquismo y diabetes mellitus tipo 2, que consultó al servicio de urgencias del centro asistencial Víctor Ríos Ruiz de Los Ángeles por cuadro caracterizado por dolor cólico epigástrico, asociado a nauseas, vómitos, distensión abdominal, coluria, oliguria, anorexia, constipación, astenia, adinamia y malestar general. Es hospitalizado en el servicio de cirugía por sospecha de colecistitis aguda, se realiza ecografía abdominal donde se pesquizó líquido libre perihepático y periesplénico, y aumento del calibre de la vena cava inferior con derrame pleural bilateral. Comenzó con hipotensión, pulso paradojal e ingurgitación yugular, por lo que es trasladado a UCI donde la ecocardiografía confirmó taponamiento cardiaco. Se realizó pericardiocentésis y estudio del líquido, que muestra células de aspecto neoplásico. Se realizó tomografía axial computarizada (TAC) encontrándose lesión sólida en lóbulo pulmonar inferior izquierdo, nódulo en lóbulo medio y múltiples adenopatías mediastínicas e hiliares bilaterales. DISCUSIÓN: El derrame pericárdico maligno suele presentarse como taponamiento cardiaco, siendo la causa más frecuente el cáncer de pulmón. El pronóstico de un derrame pericárdico en contexto de cáncer pulmonar es más bien ominoso, llegando a ser menor a los 3 meses de vida.

INTRODUCTION: In cardiac tamponade, there is a filling restriction of the heart due to increased pressure of the pericardial cavity secondary to pericardial effusion. Pressure can reach values greater than that of the right heart cavities, compromising their filling, and, secondarily, affecting the preload of the left ventricle. CASE REPORT: A 52-year old male, with type 2 diabetes mellitus, consulted to the emergency department of Víctor Ríos Ruiz Hospital of Los Angeles, Chile for epigastric colic pain, nausea, vomiting, abdominal distention, choluria, oliguria, anorexia, constipation, asthenia, adynamia and malaise. He is admitted to the surgery ward on the suspicion of acute cholecystitis. Abdominal ultrasound showed perihepatic and perisplenic free fluid and increased caliber of the inferior vena cava, associated with bilateral pleural effusion. Hypotension, paradoxical pulse and jugular engorgement developed, so he is transferred to the ICU where echocardiography confirmed cardiac tamponade. Pericardiocentesis was performed, which showed malignant cells on microscopy. A computerized tomography (CT scan) showed a solid mass in the left inferior lung lobe, a nodule in the middle lobe and multiple mediastinal and hiliar bilateral lymphoadenopaties. DISCUSSION: Malignant pericardial effusion commonly presents as cardiac tamponade, being the lung cancer its main etiology. The prognosis of pericardial effusion in lung cancer is rather ominous, with an overall survival of less than 3 months.

Is persistent hypotension after transient cardiogenic shock associated with an inflammatory response?

We evaluated the recovery of cardiovascular function after transient cardiogenic shock. Cardiac tamponade was performed for 1 h and post-shock data were collected in 5 domestic large white female pigs (43 +/- 5 kg) for 6 h. The control group (N = 5) was observed for 6 h after 1 h of resting. During 1 h of cardiac tamponade, experimental animals evolved a low perfusion status with a higher lactate level (8.0 +/- 2.2 vs 1.9 +/- 0.9 mEq/L), lower standard base excess (-7.3 +/- 3.3 vs 2.0 +/- 0.9 mEq/L), lower urinary output (0.9 +/- 0.9 vs 3.0 +/- 1.4 mL x kg(-1) x h(-1)), lower mixed venous saturation, higher ileum partial pressure of CO2-end tidal CO2 (EtCO2) gap and a lower cardiac index than the control group. Throughout the 6-h recovery phase after cardiac tamponade, tamponade animals developed significant tachycardia with preserved cardiac index, resulting in a lower left ventricular stroke work, suggesting possible myocardial dysfunction. Vascular dysfunction was present with persistent systemic hypotension as well as persistent pulmonary hypertension. In contrast, oliguria, hyperlactatemia and metabolic acidosis were corrected by the 6th hour. The inflammatory characteristics were an elevated core temperature and increased plasma levels of interleukin-6 in the tamponade group compared to the control group. We conclude that cardiovascular recovery after a transient and severe low flow systemic state was incomplete. Vascular dysfunction persisted up to 6 h after release of tamponade. These inflammatory characteristics may also indicate that inflammatory activation is a possible pathway involved in the pathogenesis of cardiogenic shock.

Is persistent hypotension after transient cardiogenic shock associated with an inflammatory response?

We evaluated the recovery of cardiovascular function after transient cardiogenic shock. Cardiac tamponade was performed for 1 h and post-shock data were collected in 5 domestic large white female pigs (43 ± 5 kg) for 6 h. The control group (N = 5) was observed for 6 h after 1 h of resting. During 1 h of cardiac tamponade, experimental animals evolved a low perfusion status with a higher lactate level (8.0 ± 2.2 vs 1.9 ± 0.9 mEq/L), lower standard base excess (-7.3 ± 3.3 vs 2.0 ± 0.9 mEq/L), lower urinary output (0.9 ± 0.9 vs 3.0 ± 1.4 mL·kg-1·h-1), lower mixed venous saturation, higher ileum partial pressure of CO2-end tidal CO2 (EtCO2) gap and a lower cardiac index than the control group. Throughout the 6-h recovery phase after cardiac tamponade, tamponade animals developed significant tachycardia with preserved cardiac index, resulting in a lower left ventricular stroke work, suggesting possible myocardial dysfunction. Vascular dysfunction was present with persistent systemic hypotension as well as persistent pulmonary hypertension. In contrast, oliguria, hyperlactatemia and metabolic acidosis were corrected by the 6th hour. The inflammatory characteristics were an elevated core temperature and increased plasma levels of interleukin-6 in the tamponade group compared to the control group. We conclude that cardiovascular recovery after a transient and severe low flow systemic state was incomplete. Vascular dysfunction persisted up to 6 h after release of tamponade. These inflammatory characteristics may also indicate that inflammatory activation is a possible pathway involved in the pathogenesis of cardiogenic shock.

Presentación clínica y evolución alejada de los derrames pericárdicos crónicos severos idiopáticos / Clinical presentation and long-term outcome of severe chronic idiopathic pericardial effusion

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia, la presentación clínica, los métodos diagnósticos, el tratamiento,la evolución y el pronóstico alejado en pacientes con derrame pericárdico crónico severo idiopático. Material y métodos: Se analizaron prospectivamente todos los pacientes con sospecha de derrame pericárdicosevero, desde junio de 1992 a abril de 2005. Fueron evaluados de acuerdo con un protocolo de enfermedad pericárdica que se aplica en nuestra Institución. De un total de 152 pacientes, 54 presentaron derrame crónico severo, de los cuales 28 (52 por ciento) fueron catalogados como idiopáticos e incluidos en el presente estudio. Resultados: La edad media fue de 67 ± 11 años, el 82 por ciento eran hombres, 25 (89,3 por ciento) se encontraban sintomáticos por disnea, 4 (16 por ciento) con taponamiento cardíaco y 10 (35,7 por ciento) con signos ecocardiográficos incipientes de taponamiento. El seguimiento promedio fue de 60 meses (3-128 meses). Los 3 pacientes asintomáticos no fueron drenados y tuvieron una evolución favorable (seguidos en promedio durante 42 meses). Los 25 pacientes sintomáticos se trataron con drenaje pericárdico y se realizó seguimiento en 23 (2 perdidos). En 14 (60,8 por ciento) de ellos no hubo recidiva de derrame, 3 (13 por ciento) presentaron derrame leve, 2 (8,6 por ciento) derrame moderado y 4 (17,2 por ciento) derrame severo. De estos últimos, 3 estaban con disnea III-IV, por lo que requirieron pericardiectomía, con buena evolución ulterior. El paciente restante permaneció asintomático. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con derrame pericárdico crónico severo idiopático pueden permanecer asintomáticos durante largo tiempo. El drenaje pericárdico es eficaz en la mayoría de los casos en los que se desarrollan síntomas graves. En los pacientes sintomáticos con recidivas de derrame severo posterior al drenaje, la pericardiectomía resulta una solución eficaz.

Objective: To assess the frequency, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, treatment, outcome and long-term prognosis of patients with severe chronic idiopathic pericardial effusion. Material and Methods All patients in whom severe pericardial effusion was suspected were assessed prospectively from June 1992 to April 2005, using our Institution’s protocol for the evaluation of pericardial disease. Of a total of 152 patients, 54 had severe chronic pericardial effusion; in 28 of them (52%) the effusion was categorized as idiopathic and they were hence included in this study. Results Mean age was 67 ± 11 years and 82% were men; 25 (89.3%) were symptomatic due to dyspnea, 4 (16%) had cardiac tamponade and 10 (35.7%) had incipient echocardiographic signs of cardiac tamponade. Mean follow-up was 60 months (3- 128 months). The three asymptomatic patients were not drained and had a favorable outcome (mean follow-up, 42 months). The 25 symptomatic patients were treated with pericardial drainage and 23 were followed (2 patients were lost to follow-up). In 14 patients (60.8%) there was no evidenceof recurrent effusion, 3 (13%) had mild effusion, 2 (8.6%) had moderate effusion and 4 (17.2 %) had severe effusion. Of these 4 latter patients, 3 had dyspnea FC III-IV, and thus required pericardiectomy, with a good subsequent outcome. The other patient remained asymptomatic. Conclusions Patients with severe chronic idiopathic pericardial effusion may remain asymptomatic for long periods of time. In most patients who develop severe symptoms, pericardial drainage is effective. In symptomatic patients with recurrence of severe effusion after drainage, pericardiectomy offers an effective solution.

Presentación clínica y evolución alejada de los derrames pericárdicos crónicos severos idiopáticos / Clinical presentation and long-term outcome of severe chronic idiopathic pericardial effusion

Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia, la presentación clínica, los métodos diagnósticos, el tratamiento,la evolución y el pronóstico alejado en pacientes con derrame pericárdico crónico severo idiopático. Material y métodos: Se analizaron prospectivamente todos los pacientes con sospecha de derrame pericárdicosevero, desde junio de 1992 a abril de 2005. Fueron evaluados de acuerdo con un protocolo de enfermedad pericárdica que se aplica en nuestra Institución. De un total de 152 pacientes, 54 presentaron derrame crónico severo, de los cuales 28 (52 por ciento) fueron catalogados como idiopáticos e incluidos en el presente estudio. Resultados: La edad media fue de 67 ± 11 años, el 82 por ciento eran hombres, 25 (89,3 por ciento) se encontraban sintomáticos por disnea, 4 (16 por ciento) con taponamiento cardíaco y 10 (35,7 por ciento) con signos ecocardiográficos incipientes de taponamiento. El seguimiento promedio fue de 60 meses (3-128 meses). Los 3 pacientes asintomáticos no fueron drenados y tuvieron una evolución favorable (seguidos en promedio durante 42 meses). Los 25 pacientes sintomáticos se trataron con drenaje pericárdico y se realizó seguimiento en 23 (2 perdidos). En 14 (60,8 por ciento) de ellos no hubo recidiva de derrame, 3 (13 por ciento) presentaron derrame leve, 2 (8,6 por ciento) derrame moderado y 4 (17,2 por ciento) derrame severo. De estos últimos, 3 estaban con disnea III-IV, por lo que requirieron pericardiectomía, con buena evolución ulterior. El paciente restante permaneció asintomático. Conclusiones: Los pacientes con derrame pericárdico crónico severo idiopático pueden permanecer asintomáticos durante largo tiempo. El drenaje pericárdico es eficaz en la mayoría de los casos en los que se desarrollan síntomas graves. En los pacientes sintomáticos con recidivas de derrame severo posterior al drenaje, la pericardiectomía resulta una solución eficaz.(AU)

Objective: To assess the frequency, clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, treatment, outcome and long-term prognosis of patients with severe chronic idiopathic pericardial effusion. Material and Methods All patients in whom severe pericardial effusion was suspected were assessed prospectively from June 1992 to April 2005, using our Institutionãs protocol for the evaluation of pericardial disease. Of a total of 152 patients, 54 had severe chronic pericardial effusion; in 28 of them (52%) the effusion was categorized as idiopathic and they were hence included in this study. Results Mean age was 67 ± 11 years and 82% were men; 25 (89.3%) were symptomatic due to dyspnea, 4 (16%) had cardiac tamponade and 10 (35.7%) had incipient echocardiographic signs of cardiac tamponade. Mean follow-up was 60 months (3- 128 months). The three asymptomatic patients were not drained and had a favorable outcome (mean follow-up, 42 months). The 25 symptomatic patients were treated with pericardial drainage and 23 were followed (2 patients were lost to follow-up). In 14 patients (60.8%) there was no evidenceof recurrent effusion, 3 (13%) had mild effusion, 2 (8.6%) had moderate effusion and 4 (17.2 %) had severe effusion. Of these 4 latter patients, 3 had dyspnea FC III-IV, and thus required pericardiectomy, with a good subsequent outcome. The other patient remained asymptomatic. Conclusions Patients with severe chronic idiopathic pericardial effusion may remain asymptomatic for long periods of time. In most patients who develop severe symptoms, pericardial drainage is effective. In symptomatic patients with recurrence of severe effusion after drainage, pericardiectomy offers an effective solution.(AU)

Cardiac tamponade due to pneumopericardium.

We describe a newborn with acute respiratory distress syndrome, subjected to mechanical ventilatory assistance with high level of peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP), who developed cardiac tamponade due to pneumopericardium. Tension pneumopericardium produces the same physiological derangement as cardiac tamponade secondary to accumulated blood or other fluids. This life-threatening complication demands immediate diagnosis and treatment.

Taponamiento cardiáco por hipotiroidismo: descripción de 2 casos / Cardiac tamponade by bypothyroidism: description of 2 cases

Rara vez el derrame pericárdico en el hipotiroidismo evoluciona al taponamiento cardíaco, complicación que es mortal si no se diagnostica y trata a tiempo. En este artículo describimos dos singulares casos y discutimos aspectos importantes de la fisiopatogía, diagnóstico y manejo de esta enfermedad.

Pericarditis: experiencia de 12 años en el Instituto Nacional de Pediatría / Pericarditis: twelve years experience at the Instituto Nacional de Pediatría

Se estudiaron 77 pacientes con pericarditis en el Instituto Nacional de Pediatría en un periodo de 12 años. La edad varió de 19 días a 20 años. Hubo 42 por ciento de varones y 58 por ciento de mujeres. Los síntomas más frecuentes fueron fiebre, disnea, tos, dolor torácico. Los signos más frecuentes fueron hepatomegalia, taquicardia, palidez e insuficiencia cardiaca. Las causas más importantes fueron artritis reumatoide juvenil, infecciones, lupus eritematoso sistémico y la forma crónica inespecífica. Once pacientes presentaron taponamiento cardiaco y siete cursaron con la forma constructiva. Se realizó pericardiocentesis en 17 pacientes y a 10 se les realizó pericardiectomía. Fallecieron 16 pacientes

Causes of increasing pericardial pressure in experimental cardiac tamponade induced by ventricular perforation.

It has been shown that the intravenous infusion of saline solution in a dog with stabilized cardiac tamponade produced an increase in pericardial pressure. To demonstrate that this pressure increase is the result of bleeding into the pericardial sac, an experimental study was conducted, consisting of the injection of red cells marked with 51Cr during the intravenous infusion of saline solution in dogs with and without progressive tamponade. The results showed that in the dogs without progressive tamponade, both the pericardial pressure and the red cell count in the pericardial cavity remained stable during the infusion of saline solution, whereas in dogs with progressive tamponade, the numbers of marked cells and the pericardial pressure increased significantly, following a similar pattern.

Variaciones de la reserva pericárdica y masa ventricular izquierda en derrame pericárdico

Se evaluan los análisis clínicos y paraclínicos del derrame pericardico en 12 pacientes estudiados por ecografía "M" bidimensional; se observan tendencias y correlaciones entre los distintos hallazgos tales como signos, síntomas, patología sistémica asociada y seguimiento de tiempo. Se hace énfasis en el análisis ecocardiográfico de signos de derrame pericardico, especialmente en las variaciones del espesor de la pared y la masa del ventrículo izquierdo. Siendo una patología que ha sido ampliamente estudiada por ecografía con parámetro bien definido, se llama la atención sobre datos significativos para el estudio

[Partial pericardial tamponade immediately after cardiac surgery]. / Taponamiento pericárdio parcial en el postoperatorio inmediato de cirugía cardíaca.

Partial pericardial tamponade is a critical situation frequently misdiagnosed. We describe five patients with this entity during an urgent surgical reintervention performed few hours after the initial one. We found clots compressing cardiac cavities in all, usually in the right atrium. In one of them we found also a clot compressing the left atrium. None of the patients studied had the classical clinical features of cardiac tamponade (Kussmaul's sign: pulsus paradoxus) and we found no difference in blood pressure, quantity of bleeding or pulmonary capillary pressure, considering the reinterventional moment in comparison to the values taken immediately after the initial surgery and the ones registered during the surgical reintervention. There was significative increase in the central venous pressure value, decreased urine output and drop in the cardiac index. Based on this observation, we believe it is possible to have a presumptive diagnosis of partial pericardial tamponade by bidimensional echocardiographic studies just before the surgical reintervention.

Pulsus paradoxus: definition and relation to the severity of cardiac tamponade.

Based on 101 control patients, the 95% confidence limit for the inspiratory decrease in arterial systolic pressure (delta SYST, mm Hg) and the percentage decrease in arterial systolic pressure (% delta SYST = delta SYST/expiratory systolic pressure) were determined to be 12 mm Hg and 9%, respectively. In 65 patients with pericardial effusion, the severity of cardiac tamponade was estimated on the basis of the percentage increase in cardiac output resulting from pericardiocentesis: absent = less than 20% (n = 24), mild = 20% to 49% (n = 9), and moderate or severe = greater than or equal to 50% (n = 32). The accuracy of a delta SYST greater than 12 mm Hg and % delta SYST greater than 9% in the identification of tamponade was 92% and 97%, respectively. A % delta SYST greater than 15% with relative hypotension (expiratory systolic pressure less than or equal to 120 mm Hg) or a delta SYST greater than 25 mm Hg or inspiratory pulse obliteration was found in 31 of 32 patients with moderate or severe tamponade compared to 2 of the 33 remaining patients. We conclude that the inspiratory decline in arterial systolic pressure can be used to accurately estimate the level of hemodynamic embarrassment resulting from pericardial effusion.