Management of patients with pericardial effusion by drawing out discontinuously with intrapericardial indwelling tube: Report of 21 cases

Objective: To evaluated the clinical efficacy of the therapy of drawing out pericardial effusion discontinuously by intrapericardial indwelling tube for treatment of pericardial effusion.Methods: Twenty-one patients with pericardial effusion were treated by drawing out pericardial effusion discontinuously with intrapericardial indwelling tube.The clinical efficiency and complication were observed.Results: The tube was indwelt under cartilago ensiformis in 19 patients and in apex of heart in 2 cases.Five patients developed chest pain accompanied with respiratory movement after the tube was indwelt,and 2 patients demonstrated inadequate drainage,but the draining became smooth with the change of body posture.Pericardial effusion leaked into the thoracic cavity in 1 patient on the second day.Conclusions: The therapy of drawing out pericardial effusion discontinuously by intrapericardial indwelling tube is effective in controlling pericardial effusion,especially the malignant pericardial effusion in patients with tumor.