I31.3
DESCRIPTION
Seen in metastatic lung and breast cancer, melanoma, leukaemia, and lymphoma.
Patients present with dyspnoea, fatigue, distended neck veins, distant heart sounds, tachycardia, orthopnoea, narrow pulse pressure, pulsus paradoxus, or water-bottle heart.
Investigation
Trans-thoracic echocardiography.
GENERAL MEASURES
Management is dependent on the underlying aetiology and symptom progression.
Diagnostic and therapeutic pericardiocentesis:
- Immediate pericardiocentesis is mandatory for patients with tamponade.
- Send some of the fluid drained for microbiology and cytology.
REFERRAL
All patients for definitive therapy.