British heart journal
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British heart journal · Oct 1994
Pericardial effusion after cardiac surgery: incidence, site, size, and haemodynamic consequences.
To evaluate the incidence, characteristics, and haemodynamic consequences of pericardial effusion after cardiac surgery. ⋯ Pericardial effusion after cardiac surgery is common and its size and site are related to the type of surgery. Cardiac tamponade is rare and is more common in patients receiving oral anticoagulants. Echo-Doppler imaging is useful for the evaluation of pericardial fluid accumulations after cardiac surgery. It can identify effusions that herald cardiac tamponade.