A retrospective study of Clinical profile and outcome of patients admitted with pericardial effusion

Backgroundand Aims: Pericardial effusion can cause significant symptoms anddiminished quality of life, but more importantly, is associated with increased risk ofcardio respiratory failure, mortality and death. The etiology of pericardial effusionvariesin different parts of the world and is related to the relative prevalence of differentdiseases. It is caused by a variety of local and systemic disorders, or maybe idiopathic.The etiology of pericardial effusion varies in different parts of the world and is relatedto the relative prevalence of different diseases. Methods: This is a retrospective studywhere data from all the cases admitted with pericardial effusion in the Department ofCardiology July 2021 August 2022at BSM Medical University Hospital were included.Altogether 110 cases diagnosed with pericardial effusion established yEchocardiograpy were included. Evaluation for the cause of pericardial effusion wasdone. Iatrogenic (cardiac surgery, catheterization) and post-traumatic cases and age<15 years were excluded. Demographic profile, common causes, the presentation andthe clinical outcome of the patients were documented. Results: This study included110 patients with age ranging from 15 to 81 years, majority of patients ware agedbetween 56-75 years (n=44, 40%). Only 14 patients 12.7% admitted with pericardialeffusion of the age group between less than 25 years. 57 (51.8%) were male and 53patients (48.26%) were female. 78 (70.9%) belonged to middle socioeconomic statuswhile11(10%) belonged to poor group. The average number of hospital day was 6.78days (Range 1-23 days). Most common etiology of pericardial effusion was tuberculosis(56.3%) followed by heart failure (10.9%), Hypothyroidism (6.3%) and malignancy(5.4%). Tachycardia was the most common ECGfindingin77(70%) followed by Lowvoltage ECG in48 (43.6%). The most common clinical feature was breath lessness in84.5% followed by tachycardia in 56.3% of the patient. Conclusion: Tuberculosis,Heart Failure and Hypothyroidism were the common causes of Pericardial effusionwith male predominance. Breathlessness was the most common presenting symptom.