Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography : official publication of the American Society of Echocardiography
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Nov 1998
Percutaneous echocardiographically guided pericardiocentesis in pediatric patients: evaluation of safety and efficacy.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of echocardiographically (echo) guided pericardiocentesis in pediatric patients. Echo-guided pericardiocenteses performed in pediatric patients (age >/=16 years) at the Mayo Clinic between 1980 and 1997 were identified. Presentation, cause and characteristics of the effusion, details of the pericardiocentesis procedure, and outcome were determined by comprehensive chart review supplemented by telephone interviews when necessary. ⋯ Echo-guided pericardiocentesis is safe and effective in pediatric patients, including children younger than 2 years. The increasing use of pericardial catheterization in conjunction with this technique was associated with significant reduction of recurrence and decreased frequency of surgical interventions for treatment of pericardial effusion. Echo-guided pericardiocentesis with extended catheter drainage should be considered as primary management strategy for clinically significant pericardial effusions in pediatric patients.
-
J Am Soc Echocardiogr · Nov 1998
Case ReportsDouble postinfarction cardiac rupture of left ventricular free wall and papillary muscle documented by transthoracic echocardiography.
A 70-year-old man presented with a posteroinferolateral acute myocardial infarction complicated by rupture of the left ventricular inferior wall and partial rupture of the posteromedial papillary muscle. Transthoracic echocardiography documented both of these complications and led to prompt and successful surgical repair.