pericardial window

Indications

• pericardial effusion
  • not responsive to pericardiocentesis
• chylopericardium
• postoperative hemopericardium
• early fungal pericarditis or tuberculous pericarditis
• part of mediastinal debridement, in patients with descending mediastinitis

Contraindications

• pericardiotomy or pericardiectomy indicated

* pericardiocentesis should be attempted first

Procedure

• excision of a portion of the pericardium, which allows an effusion to drain continuously into the peritoneum or chest

More general terms

• cardiac surgery (heart surgery)
• surgical resection (excision)

Additional terms

• pericardiectomy