Management of Cardiac Tamponade: Comparing Echo-Guided Pericardiocentesis and Surgery
Author Information
Author(s): Hasan Ali Gumrukcuoglu, Dolunay Odabasi, Serkan Akdag, Hasan Ekim
Primary Institution: Yuzuncu Yil University
Hypothesis
What is the optimal method for draining pericardial fluid in patients with cardiac tamponade?
Conclusion
Echo-guided pericardiocentesis is the preferred treatment for cardiac tamponade due to its lower complication and mortality rates.
Supporting Evidence
- Echo-guided pericardiocentesis was performed in 38% of patients.
- Primary surgical treatment was performed in 36% of patients.
- Surgical treatment following pericardiocentesis was performed in 26% of patients.
- Recurrence of tamponade before 90 days was highest in the echo-guided group.
- Total complication rates and mortality were highest in the surgical treatment group.
Takeaway
Doctors looked at 100 patients with a serious heart condition called cardiac tamponade and found that a less invasive procedure using ultrasound is usually better than surgery.
Methodology
The study reviewed 100 patients with cardiac tamponade who underwent either echo-guided pericardiocentesis, primary surgical treatment, or surgical treatment following pericardiocentesis.
Potential Biases
Potential biases due to the retrospective nature of the study.
Limitations
The study is retrospective and subject to biases inherent to this design.
Participant Demographics
51% female and 49% male, ages ranging from 10 to 79 years with a mean age of 46.3 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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