Incidence of malignant pericardial effusion in pericardiocentesis patients and post-procedure care: an oncology center pilot study.

The etiology of pericardial effusion can affect many important factors during and after pericardiocentesis. The frequency of etiologies varies among different patient populations. Pericardiocentesis is an important diagnostic and therapeutic intervention; however, data on the characteristics of malignant pericardial effusion are lacking in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Thus, we conducted a pilot study on the incidence and post-procedure care of patients who underwent pericardiocentesis in our facility to enhance their management and treatment. This retrospective study included all cases of pericardiocentesis between 2011-2019. Epidemiological, clinical, and biochemical data were collected and analyzed. Pericardial fluid analysis, malignancy type, recurrence rate, need for a repeat procedure, and echocardiography findings were reviewed. Thirty-three patients (mean: 47.2 years) underwent pericardiocentesis, and 22 of these patients (66.7%) had malignancy. The predominant cancers were breast cancer (27.3%), lung cancer (27.3%), exudative pericardial effusion and malignant effusion (68%), and bloody fluid (73%). An average of 350 ml was drained from the patients, and the drain was retained for 4 days. Six patients (18.2%) had re-accumulation of pericardial effusion, and 4 patients required repeat procedures. All patients underwent post-procedure echocardiography, and 82% underwent follow-up echo within one week. More than two-thirds of our cancer patients had malignant pericardial effusion. The early diagnosis of the etiology of pericardial effusion may alter its management and prognosis. We would like to conduct further research to determine its influence on the prognosis of cancer patients in the UAE.