1. Pericardial Effusion: Accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac.
2. Cardiac Tamponade: Rapid and severe accumulation of fluid leading to compression of the heart, impairing its ability to pump effectively.

Procedure: Patient Positioning: The patient is typically positioned lying on their back (supine) on an examination table.

1. Local Anesthesia: The skin over the pericardial space is numbed using a local anesthetic.
2. Needle Insertion: A long, thin needle or catheter is inserted through the chest wall into the pericardial sac. The insertion site is usually in the left lower chest, just above the diaphragm, to avoid injury to important structures.
3. Fluid Aspiration: Once the needle or catheter is in place, the accumulated fluid is aspirated or drained. This may be done using a syringe or by connecting the catheter to a drainage system.
4. Monitoring: The patient’s vital signs, such as heart rate and blood pressure, are closely monitored during the procedure to detect any complications.
5. Analysis of Fluid: The aspirated fluid may be sent for laboratory analysis to determine its composition and identify potential causes of the pericardial effusion, such as infection, inflammation, or malignancy.

Considerations:

• Pericardiocentesis is often performed under imaging guidance, such as echocardiography or fluoroscopy, to ensure accurate placement of the needle or catheter and to minimize the risk of complications.
• In some cases, a pericardial drain may be left in place for continuous drainage if the effusion is recurrent or persistent.