What is a pericardial window?
Pericardial window is a cardiac surgery that creates an opening in the pericardium, a membrane bag that surrounds the heart. The provided opening can alleviate the pressure from the fluid that has gathered around the heart, called pericardial discharge. It is also possible for the surgeon to look at the possible biopsy spots through the pericardial window.
Before creating a pericardial window, the patient will be subjected to anesthesia. The usual location of the pericardial window is under the chest or ribs on the left side of the body. The surgeon makes a small cut into the pericardium, allowing excess fluid to be released into the abdomen. Later, the fluid is harmlessly absorbed into the abdominal tissue.
Most people who have the pericardial window can return home within two days. Operation is usually successful in safe relief pressure from the fluid created around the heart. Most patients report to Improziev with their symptoms without the need for further surgery.
Pericardial effusion causes shortness of breath and painful breathing. SomePeople report the persistent cough and the inability to breathe comfortably. Silence, dizziness and rapid heart rhythm are common in people with pericardial discharge. Untreated, this condition can lead to heart failure and death.
The pericardial cavity can be filled with liquid for various reasons. Some viral infections may cause fluid to accumulate around the heart. It has been reported that people with cancer have pericardial effusion during the treatment process. Heart failure can cause the fluid to collect in the pericardial bag and it is not uncommon to have fluid around the heart after cardiac surgery. Kidney failure can cause swelling in the body tissues, including space around the heart.
Other causes that can cause the need for a pericardial window is many. Autoimmune diseases such as lupus may cause fluid in the pericardium. Some bacterial and fungal infections cause inflammationA pericardium that triggers the accumulation of fluid around the heart. Hypothyroidism and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and syndrome obtained immunodeficiency (AIDS) can also cause symptoms of pericardial discharge. Traumatic chest or heart damage can also cause a condition to develop.
Some drugs may cause pericardial effusion that will stimulate surgical formation of the pericardial window. Hydalazine, phenytoin and isoniazide are some of the drugs that can cause fluid accumulation around the heart. Drug chemotherapy may have pericardial effusion as a side effect of treatment.