Pericardial Drainage
Results
Pericardial drainage (pericardiocentesis) is done to find the cause of fluid buildup around the heart and to relieve pressure on the heart. The excess fluid removed during the pericardial drainage will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. Some results will be available within hours, while others may take days or weeks.
| Normal: |
No bacteria, Reference red blood cells Opens New Window, or cancer cells are present in the pericardial fluid. |
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No Reference white blood cells Opens New Window (WBCs) are in pericardial fluid. |
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The pericardial fluid is clear or pale yellow. |
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Sugar (glucose) is present, but in amounts similar to that found in the blood. |
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There is less than 50 mL (2 fl oz) of fluid in the pericardial sac. |
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| Abnormal: |
The pericardial fluid contains blood, bacteria, or cancer cells. |
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White blood cells are in the pericardial fluid. |
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The pericardial fluid looks cloudy. |
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There is more than 50 mL (2 fl oz) of fluid in the pericardial sac. |
Abnormal values
A buildup of pericardial fluid may be caused by:
- Reference Inflammation Opens New Window of the sac that surrounds the heart (Reference pericarditis Opens New Window).
- Infection from a virus, bacteria (such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes Reference tuberculosis Opens New Window), or Reference fungi Opens New Window. Viruses are a common cause of pericarditis.
- Other diseases, such as cancer, Reference rheumatoid arthritis Opens New Window, Reference lupus Opens New Window, Reference kidney failure Opens New Window, or Reference hypothyroidism Opens New Window.
- Blood, which may be present after a Reference heart attack Opens New Window with possible rupture of the heart muscle, a dissecting Reference aortic aneurysm Opens New Window, recent surgery, injury, or cancer.
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: Reference June 13, 2012 |
| Medical Review: | Reference Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology
Reference George Philippides, MD - Cardiology |
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