Pericardial effusion unrelated to surgery is a predictor of mortality in heart transplant patients

Abstract

This study reveals that the finding of hemodynamically irrelevant PeEf in heart transplant patients is a predictor of adverse outcome, suggesting that a careful clinical assessment is warranted in heart transplant patients exhibiting small PeEf.

Position Statement on Indications of Echocardiography in Adults - 2019

“…In the case of a recently detected pericardial effusion, the hypothesis of acute rejection should be considered, taking into account the patient’s global and clinical echocardiographic evaluation. 47,51 Cardiac graft vascular disease is the main cause of late complication; and the dobutamine stress echocardiography has proven to be a safe and accurate method to identify the affected patients. 47,52-54 The evaluation of the coronary reserve flow, as well as the sonographic contrast infusion to highlight the borders and to evaluate the myocardial perfusion , when combined with stress echocardiography, have been shown to increase the accuracy of the diagnosis of graft vascular disease.…”

Predictors and clinical significance of pericardial effusions after pediatric heart transplantation

“…Further research with longitudinal follow-up in pediatric HT recipients is needed to determine whether new onset effusions >1-year post-HT are more likely to be associated with increased mortality as has been shown in adult data. 8 There are important limitations to this study. These data are subject to the inherent limitations of retrospective study designs.…”

“…In adult HT recipients, the reported incidence of pericardial effusions ranges from 9 to 35% 1–4 . In adult studies, the data regarding risk factors for and the clinical significance of pericardial effusions after HT are conflicting 1,2,5–8 1,2 greater recipient weight in comparison with donor weight, 1 and prolonged donor ischemic time 4 .…”

“…[1][2][3][4] In adult studies, the data regarding risk factors for and the clinical significance of pericardial effusions after HT are conflicting. 1,2,[5][6][7][8] Though not consistent across studies, previous reports have correlated the development of early pericardial effusions after HT with lack of prior cardiac surgery, 1,2 greater recipient weight in comparison with donor weight, 1 and prolonged donor ischemic time. 4 Presence and severity of rejection have also been correlated with pericardial effusions.…”

Postoperative pericardial effusion: peculiarities of the development and course

“…S.F. Stämpfli et al [38] провели исследование перикардиальных эффузий в отдаленном периоде после операции. Было выявлено, что наличие гемодинамически не значимого выпота, не связанного с хирургическими причинами, является предиктором неблагоприятного исхода.…”