Pericardial effusion usually requires attention to the following aspects:

Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
Updated on September 01, 2024
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If the patient has pericardial effusion, it is still necessary to maintain a light diet, eat small meals frequently, and especially avoid spicy and irritating foods.

Meanwhile, patients should pay attention to regular re-examinations of cardiac echocardiography and electrocardiograms, as the most effective and direct method for diagnosing pericardial effusion is puncture and fluid extraction for examination. For minor amounts of pericardial effusion, it is recommended that patients first observe and use medication, which can also help alleviate symptoms.

During this period, it is important to monitor changes in the patient's blood pressure and heart rate. If blood pressure rises or heart rate increases rapidly, it can exacerbate pericardial effusion. However, it is still crucial to actively use medication for early intervention, which can also help alleviate symptoms, and actively prevent upper respiratory infections.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Does pericardial effusion hurt?

If a patient has pericardial effusion, they may experience pain in the precordial area, as well as symptoms of chest tightness, breathing difficulties, and palpitations. A small amount of pericardial effusion can be completely absorbed on its own; however, a large amount of pericardial effusion can sometimes lead to breathing difficulties. For treatment, a pericardiocentesis can be performed to examine the fluid, as this condition is very dangerous. In cases of pericardial effusion, I personally suggest undergoing a cardiac echocardiogram or a chest CT scan for a more definitive diagnosis. During this period, it is still important to actively monitor the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse changes. If there is a very high heart rate or other complications, active treatment should be pursued.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Is pericardial effusion related to pneumonia?

Pericardial effusion is generally not closely related to pneumonia. The common causes of pericardial effusion mainly include tuberculous pericarditis, as well as factors such as tumors, heart failure, and hypoproteinemia. The onset of pulmonary inflammation primarily affects the lungs, with symptoms often manifesting as cough and yellowish sputum. Some patients may also experience pleural effusion. Pulmonary CT scans typically show inflammatory exudative changes. If the pericardial effusion is minor, it is usually not a significant issue, but proper medical examination is necessary to rule out causes like tuberculosis or tumors that could lead to pericardial effusion.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Pericardial effusion tracheal shift to which side?

If a patient presents with pericardial effusion, normally the trachea is displaced laterally, but specific circumstances can determine this. For minor or moderate amounts of pericardial effusion, the current treatment primarily involves pericardiocentesis to drain the fluid; symptomatic treatment is predominantly used. During this period, it is also important to monitor changes in the patient's heart rate, blood pressure, and pulse. If the patient experiences a rapid heart rate and increased blood pressure, these conditions need to be actively managed. Early use of cardiotonic diuretics can help alleviate respiratory distress, wheezing, or shortness of breath after activity caused by the pericardial effusion. Regular cardiac echocardiography check-ups are also recommended for the patient.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Is pericardial effusion prone to recurrence?

Whether pericardial effusion is prone to recurrence depends on the causes of the effusion. There are many causes of pericardial effusion, such as organic heart disease, heart failure, tumors, tuberculosis, and hypoproteinemia, all of which can lead to the development of pericardial effusion. Among these, pericardial effusion caused by tuberculous pericarditis will not recur as long as standardized anti-tuberculosis treatment is administered and the tuberculosis is controlled. However, pericardial effusion caused by heart failure may recur repeatedly because heart failure itself can also recur. Moreover, pericardial effusion caused by tumors, if the tumors cannot be eradicated, often also recurs.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Will pericardial effusion cause an increase in troponin levels?

In general, if a patient is diagnosed with pericardial effusion, troponin levels might also increase under stress conditions. This is because troponin is primarily used as a marker to assess myocardial infarction. An increase in troponin levels suggests the possibility of a myocardial infarction. However, under stress conditions, especially with pericardial effusion, troponin levels can rise. During this period, it is also advisable to perform an electrocardiogram or a cardiac echocardiography on the patient for a more definitive diagnosis. A mere increase in troponin levels does not conclusively indicate a problem; it is necessary to consider the patient’s current symptoms and results from other diagnostic tests.