Subxiphoid Pericardial Drainage of Pericardial Effusions

Oh, Sam Sae; Chang, Woo Ik; Kim, Ki Bong; Kim, Won Gon; Ahn, Hyuk; Kim, Joo Hyun; Kim, Chong Whan

Abstract

To assess the effectiveness of subxipoid pericardial drainage for the treatment of pericardial effusion, we reviewed 80 cases of subxiphoid pericardial drainage between January 1986 and December 1995. There were 39 males and 41 females with ages ranging from 20 to 80 years. The diagnosis of pericardial effusion was made by echocardiography. The procedure was carried out under general anesthesia in 50(62.5%) and under local anesthesia in 30 patients(37.5%). Among the 33 patients with malignant pericardial effusion, cytology was positive in 14 of 31(45%), and pericardial biopsy showed malignancy in 7 of 29 patients(24%). Among the 27 patients with tuberculous pericardial effusion, the diagnosis was confirmed by histology of pericardial biopsy in 12 patient or bacteriologic culture in 1 patient. The operative mortality was 17.5%(14/80 patients) and all the mortality occurred in the malignant group. There were no operation-related mortality. Sixty six patients were followed from 9 days to 5 years; mean follow-up was 452 days. Recurrent pericardial effusions, necessitating further surgical intervention, occurred in 6 (7.5%) patients. Constrictive pericarditis developed later in 4 patients(5%) and two of them had undergone complete pericardiectomy. In summary, subxiphoid pericardial drainage allowed safe and efficient drainage of pericardial effusions with sampling for cytology and pericardial biopsy, and had an acceptable morbidity and mortality.