Over a 4-year period, 94 of 248 patients with end-stage renal disease were evaluated echocardiographically because of clinically suspected pericarditis. The clinical diagnosis was established in 39 patients based on the development of a friction rub at some time during their course. 15 of the 55 patients, in whom the diagnosis of pericarditis could not be established, had a small pericardial effusion. The rest had no pericardial fluid. 15 patients developed pericarditis prior to the initiation of dialysis and all responded to dialysis alone. 4 had no effusions, 3 had small effusions and 8 had moderate or large effusions. In 9 of 24 dialysis patients with pericarditis, a presumptive etiology other than uremia was identified. In these 24 patients, 9 had no effusions, 2 had small effusion and 13 had moderate or large effusions. Only 9 patients, all with moderate or large effusions, required operation. The data suggest that: (1) pericarditis present at the initiation of dialysis regularly resolves with dialysis; (2) specific etiologies are common; (3) small pericardial effusions are common in dialysis patients without pericarditis; (4) pericardial effusions are frequently not present in uremic patients with pericarditis and, (5) the size of the pericardial effusion is of some value in predicting which patients may subsequently require operative intervention.

Keywords:
Pericarditis, Echocardiography, Pericardial effusion, Pericardial friction rub
This content is only available via PDF.
© 1980 S. Karger AG, Basel
1980
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.