How to eliminate pericardial effusion and ascites?

Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
Updated on January 05, 2025
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The methods for eliminating pericardial effusion and ascites mainly include the following aspects: First, etiological treatment, which involves treating the underlying causes of pericardial effusion and ascites. For instance, if tuberculosis is the cause, standard anti-tuberculosis treatment should be administered. Once tuberculosis is under control, the ascites and pericardial effusion will naturally resolve. Second, symptomatic treatment, such as the use of diuretic drugs, can reduce the phenomenon of pericardial effusion and ascites in some patients. If there is hypoproteinemia, appropriate supplementation with albumin can effectively improve the effusion. Third, fluid drainage treatment, if the amount of pericardial effusion and ascites is large, puncture and fluid drainage can be performed to alleviate the pericardial effusion and ascites, and at the same time, further investigate the cause of the effusion.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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Is pericardial effusion hereditary?

Pericardial effusion is not hereditary. Pericardial effusion is not a genetic disease, and the causes of pericardial effusion are often acquired factors. For example, tuberculosis infection can cause tuberculous pericarditis, leading to pericardial effusion. Symptoms often include unexplained low-grade fever, cough, and night sweats, with a PPD test often showing a rigid change. Pericardial effusion caused by heart failure often presents with repeated exertional dyspnea, accompanied by limb edema. Cardiac ultrasound often reveals changes in the heart structure, such as cardiac enlargement and reduced cardiac pumping function. Additionally, hypoalbuminemia and tumors can also cause pericardial effusion, but these factors are not related to genetics.

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Written by Li Hai Wen
Cardiology
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How to eliminate pericardial effusion and ascites?

The methods for eliminating pericardial effusion and ascites mainly include the following aspects: First, etiological treatment, which involves treating the underlying causes of pericardial effusion and ascites. For instance, if tuberculosis is the cause, standard anti-tuberculosis treatment should be administered. Once tuberculosis is under control, the ascites and pericardial effusion will naturally resolve. Second, symptomatic treatment, such as the use of diuretic drugs, can reduce the phenomenon of pericardial effusion and ascites in some patients. If there is hypoproteinemia, appropriate supplementation with albumin can effectively improve the effusion. Third, fluid drainage treatment, if the amount of pericardial effusion and ascites is large, puncture and fluid drainage can be performed to alleviate the pericardial effusion and ascites, and at the same time, further investigate the cause of the effusion.

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Written by Cai Li E
Cardiology
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Why does pericardial effusion cause abnormal pulses?

Pulsus paradoxus refers to a condition where the pulse weakens significantly or disappears during inhalation, caused by a decrease in the left ventricular stroke volume. Normally, the strength of the pulse is not affected by the respiratory cycle. However, when cardiac tamponade, significant pericardial effusion, or constrictive pericarditis occurs, inhalation can restrict the relaxation of the right heart, leading to a reduced volume of blood returning to the heart and affecting the right heart’s output. Consequently, the amount of blood the right ventricle pumps into the pulmonary circulation is reduced. Furthermore, the pulmonary circulation is affected by the negative thoracic pressure during inhalation, causing pulmonary vessels to dilate and reducing the volume of blood returning from the pulmonary veins to the left atrium. Therefore, the output of the left heart also decreases. These factors lead to a weakened pulse during inhalation, which can sometimes be imperceptible, also known as pulsus paradoxus. This condition can be identified by a significant drop in systolic pressure by more than 10mmHg during inhalation compared to exhalation.

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Written by Xie Zhi Hong
Cardiology
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The causes of recurrent pericardial effusion

Pericardial effusion can be caused by many factors, such as acute pericarditis or chronic tuberculous pericarditis. Other causes include hypothyroidism, tumors, heart failure, and severe hypoproteinemia due to liver dysfunction, all of which can lead to pericardial effusion. Common pericardial effusion infections, hypothyroidism, or heart failure might improve after treatment. However, if the cause of certain intractable diseases cannot be removed, pericardial effusion may recur. For example, pericardial effusion caused by malignant tumors and hypoproteinemia is common in patients with cirrhosis, severe liver failure, or nephrotic syndrome. Such individuals often experience recurring pericardial effusions. Another example is patients with heart failure, who, in the terminal stages of heart disease, also frequently experience recurrences of pericardial effusion. Therefore, managing recurrent pericardial effusions in patients, particularly when not due to infectious factors, can be quite challenging.

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Written by Di Zhi Yong
Cardiology
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Can pericardial effusion cause chest pain?

Pericardial effusion is a type of cardiovascular disease, and if it is severe, it can cause chest pain. This is primarily due to changes in heart function, with patients mainly experiencing symptoms such as palpitations, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. If chest pain occurs, it indicates that the symptoms are very severe, and it is recommended to seek active treatment at a hospital, using medications to control heart failure or performing fluid extraction for examination. For the treatment of pericardial effusion, percutaneous fluid drainage can be chosen, which can also alleviate the patient’s condition. Generally, chest pain could also be caused by pericardial effusion. During this period, it's important to monitor changes in the patient's blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse. If blood pressure is too high or heart rate is too fast, it needs to be addressed.