CTSN- Pericardium and Tamponade Refs

CTSN - The Pericardium and Tamponade The Pericardium
Selected Articles
Fowler NO. Cardiac tamponade: A clinical or echocardiographic diagnosis? Circulation 1993 87(5):1738-41.

This article illustrates that although the diagnosis should be made clinically, patients often do not display classic findings and echocardiography should be used to confirm and guide therapy.

Vaitkus PT, Herrmann HC, LeWinter MM. Treatment of malignant pericardial effusion. JAMA 1994 272(1):59-64.

A review of several other studies of malignant effusion, the article states that in most cases pericardiocentesis under echo guidance is the best initial therapy. An indwelling catheter can be left for several days; sclerotherapy or pericardial window is necessary for recurrent effusion.

D'Cruz IA, Overton DH, Pai GM. Pericardial complications of cardiac surgery: Emphasis on the diagnostic role of echocardiography. Journal of Cardiac Surgery 1992 7(3):257-68.

Great article specific to effusion after cardiac surgery - has nice representative echos and illustrates the use of echo in seperating effusion and tamponade.

Ameli S and Shah PK. Cardiac tamponade: Pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management. Cardiology Clinics 1991 9(4):665-74.

A readable review of the basic clinical features of tamponade. Also has good sample echos.

Sources for further reading
Textbook Chapters
Chapter 52: Pericardial Disease. Cardiac Surgery (Kirklin and Barratt-Boyes), 2nd ed., 1683-1700.

Chapters 32: The Pericardium Glenn's Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (Baue, Geha, Hammond, Laks, and Naunheim), 6th ed., 2299-2310.

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