pericardiocentesis

Cardiac sac aspiration

Pericardiocentesis is a medical procedure in which a needle is inserted through the chest wall into the pericardial sac—the membrane surrounding the heart—to drain excess fluid.

The procedure relieves pressure on the heart caused by fluid buildup, which can be life-threatening if untreated: Emergency pericardiocentesis saved the patient from cardiac tamponade.

diagnosis

echocardiography

Ultrasound imaging of heart

cytologyStudy of cells
biomarkersMeasurable disease indicators
cultureCollective social practices

tuberculosis · purulent · serous · hemorrhagic

procedure

fluoroscopy

Continuous X-ray video imaging

catheterInserted medical drainage tube
drainageLiquid removal system
syringeMedical injection tool

trocar · introducer · manometry

emergency

hypotension

Abnormally reduced arterial pressure

shockViolent sudden disturbance
resuscitationRestoring vital functions
stabilizationProcess of becoming steady

urgent · life-saving · critical · acute · triage · ER · trauma · ICU · distress · decompensation

anatomy

myocardium

Muscular tissue of heart

diaphragmMuscle separating chest, abdomen
pleuraMembrane around lungs
mediastinumCentral chest cavity region

complications

pneumothorax

Air in pleural space

arrhythmiaAbnormal cardiac rhythm
infectionPathogen invasion causing illness

Categories

centesisamniocentesis
chest procedurespneumonectomy, lobectomy, thoracotomy, lung transplant, lung biopsy
needle proceduresphlebotomy, blood draw, injection, lumbar puncture, spinal tap
hemostasisdirect pressure, compression bandage, tourniquet
surgical drainschest tube, drain tube

Opposites

invasiveness of cardiac access

pericardiocentesisthoracotomy

Surgical chest wall opening

open-heart surgery · sternotomy · cardiac surgery

Family

cardiac, cardiology, pericardium, pericarditis, pericardial

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