Ultrasound guided percutaneous drainage of pericardial fluid with an indwelling catheter.

The technique of ultrasonographic guided percutaneous drainage of pericardial fluid, applied in three patients, is reported. The primary disease was synovial sarcoma, rheumatoid arthritis and prostatic carcinoma, respectively. Although three slightly different techniques and catheters were used all patients were sufficiently drained and the clinical symptoms promptly relieved. The catheters were left for drainage 3 months, 5 days and 14 days respectively. There were no major complications. One patient complained of transient palpitations. Percutaneous ultrasound-guided catheter drainage seems to be a safe method in patients with pericardial fluid where an indwelling catheter is considered.