Pericardiocentesis/Pericardial window-whats the diff?

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  1. This is a discussion on Pericardiocentesis/Pericardial window-whats the diff? in CCU Nursing / Coronary / Cardiac, part of Critical Care Nursing ... Can someone shed some light on the difference between pericardiocentesis and pericardial window.......

    by Jun 6, '08
    Can someone shed some light on the difference between pericardiocentesis and pericardial window....

    Pericardicentesis= needle aspiration of pericardial fluid:heartbeat

    pericardial window=hmmm....

    thanks
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    by Atrial Kick Jun 6, '08 9:42 pm
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  3. 17 Comments so far...

  4. Guide
    Jun 7, '08 by
    I've never heard of a pericardial window, I'd be interested to learn as well
  5. Guide
    Jun 7, '08 by
    Quote from Atrial Kick
    Can someone shed some light on the difference between pericardiocentesis and pericardial window....

    Pericardicentesis= needle aspiration of pericardial fluid:heartbeat

    pericardial window=hmmm....

    thanks
    It is actually just like it sounds. The surgeon goes in through the chest to open a "window" in the pericardium removes the fluid/blood to relieve the pressure and then close. These sites explain the procedure/indications/pictures etc. more in depth. http://www.ctsnet.org/doc/7673 http://www.ctsnet.org/sections/clini...t_tech-32.html
    Last edit by wtbcrna on Jun 7, '08
    fiveofpeep, Giblets, Mr BSN, and 2 others like this.
  6. Guide
    Jun 7, '08 by
    thanks WTBCRNA, that second link is excellent, it's not a procedure I have ever seen used in the UK but it was a while ago since I did cardiothoracic so may have changed now.
  7. Jun 7, '08 by
    much thanks.
  8. Jun 8, '08 by
    With a pericardial window, they can also leave the pericardium open, i.e. not stitch it back up again to prevent tamponade from recurring.

    The idea is the same, to relieve the pressure causing the tamponade, just the methods and techniques are different.

    Tom
  9. Jun 8, '08 by
    i believe its more common when a window is made to leave it open. At the point they switch from centesis to window its a reoccurring problem.
  10. Jun 9, '08 by
    Hello!

    I am a new RN and I am learning alot by reading these postings!:smilecoffeeIlovecof
    I am going from being a LPN to a RN...a bit scary, too!
  11. Jun 11, '08 by
    The window technique is used in the UK, needle aspiration or draini insertion is performed by the Cardiology team, and when the problem keeps recurring then a window is performed by the Cardio Thoracic surgeons.

    I've only seen patients go for windows, when the fluid is caused by rheumatic inflamation, or mets.
    XB9S likes this.
  12. Guide
    Jun 11, '08 by
    Quote from Whisper
    The window technique is used in the UK, needle aspiration or draini insertion is performed by the Cardiology team, and when the problem keeps recurring then a window is performed by the Cardio Thoracic surgeons.

    I've only seen patients go for windows, when the fluid is caused by rheumatic inflamation, or mets.
    I didn't know that, it's been so long since I did cardiac I'm getting rusty

    Thanks