Evaluation of Safety and Feasibility of Percutaneous Balloon Pericardiotomy in Hemodynamically Significant Pericardial Effusion (Review of 10-Years Experience in Single Center).

BACKGROUND

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy (PBP) has been successful in managing large pericardial effusions, particularly in patients with malignant conditions. The objective of this study was to evaluate safety and feasibility of this procedure (PBP) in patients who had recurrent life threatening pericardial effusion at West Virginia University Hospital (WVUH).

METHODS

This is retrospective review of consecutive series of pericardial windows by PBP. This report entails our experience of 36 procedures performed from November 2002 to November 2012 by PBP.

RESULTS

Thirty-six percutaneous balloon pericardiotomies were performed (20 males and 16 females) with a mean age of 58 ± 15 years. Lung cancer (50%) was the most common diagnosis with small cell type (29%) being most frequent. Other causes of pericardial effusion requiring PBP procedure included breast cancer (13.2%) and gastrointestinal cancer (15.7). Five patients had previously required pericardiocentesis in the past, and 31 patients had PBP as the first treatment for the pericardial effusion. There were no acute complications. The procedures were successful and well tolerated. Technical success of procedure was 100%. The 30-day survival was 81 percent and there were no infectious complications during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy is safe and effective technique for the management of patients with severe recurrent life threatening pericardial effusion.