Pericardiocentesis/Pericardial window-whats the diff?

[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....:redbeathe

thanks

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

I've never heard of a pericardial window, I'd be interested to learn as well

[wtbcrna, MSN, DNP, CRNA]

Can someone shed some light on the difference between pericardiocentesis and pericardial window....

Pericardicentesis= needle aspiration of pericardial fluid:heartbeat

pericardial window=hmmm....:redbeathe

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/clinicalresources/thoracic/expert_tech-32.html

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

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.

[Atrial Kick]

much thanks. :loveya:

[Spatialized]

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

[Rocky_RN_]

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.

[PalmoRN]

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!

[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.

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

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

[anurseuk]

I'm in the UK in CT we have pericardial windows fairly often in out unit.

http://www.ctsnet.org/sections/clinicalresources/thoracic/expert_tech-32.html

Quite a good website for CT information:)

[XB9S, BSN, MSN, EdD, RN, APN]

I'm in the UK in CT we have pericardial windows fairly often in out unit.

http://www.ctsnet.org/sections/clinicalresources/thoracic/expert_tech-32.html

Quite a good website for CT information:)

Thanks for that link it's really informative