Evaluation of in-hospital and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing pericardiocentesis: A retrospective analysis

Abstract

Aim:  Pericardiocentesis is a critical invasive procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with pericardial effusion, regardless of the etiological cause. We aimed to evaluate the in-hospital and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing pericardiocentesis due to pericardial effusion at a tertiary referral center.

Materials and Methods:  A retrospective analysis of 204 patients who underwent pericardiocentesis between 2017 and 2022 was conducted. Patients were divided into two groups based on the development of mortality during long-term follow-up.

Results: The mean follow-up duration was 42.5 ± 22.7 months. The most commonly identified etiology was idiopathic, accounting for 44.1%, followed by neoplastic (33.3%) and infectious (10.8%) causes. In-hospital mortality occurred in 21 (10.2%) patients, while recurrence developed in 41 (20.1%) patients. During the follow-up period, 74 out of 204 participants experienced mortality. Multivariable Cox regression analysis identified left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (p=0.013), malignancy (p<0.001), and hemodynamic instability (p<0.001) as independent determinants of long-term mortality.

Conclusion: Although pericardiocentesis has a low complication rate, mortality rates remain high in these patients due to additional comorbidities. LVEF, malignancy, and hemodynamic instability determine mortality. Careful management of this group can reduce further events.