Pericardiocentesis in Massive Pericardial Effusion in the Setting of Pulmonary Hypertension: Is It Beneficial?

BACKGROUND

A serious complication of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is pericardial effusion (PE), which can significantly increase the mortality rate of affected patients. While managing this condition is critical, there is ongoing debate regarding the best therapeutic approaches. Although pericardiocentesis is mostly indicated in patients with cardiac tamponade, it may inadvertently increase mortality in the context of PH.

CASE PRESENTATION: This case series reports on three patients who experienced PE associated with PH. Each patient received a different treatment, resulting in varying outcomes. One patient, unfortunately, died within 24 hours after undergoing pericardiocentesis. In contrast, the other two patients did not receive the procedure; instead, they were treated with medication. One of them has shown significant improvement after receiving more aggressive medical treatment. Both are alive with unremarkable limitations.

CONCLUSION

The coexistence of pulmonary hypertension and massive pericardial effusion presents a complex challenge for management decisions. An effective approach requires a multidisciplinary strategy to optimize patient outcomes. While pericardiocentesis is essential in cases of massive pericardial effusion, it should be reconsidered if the underlying cause is pulmonary hypertension.