Pericardial Drainage

Pericardiocentesis

Results

Pericardial drainage (pericardiocentesis) is done to find the cause of fluid buildup around the heart and to relieve pressure on the heart. The excess fluid removed during the pericardial drainage will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. Some results will be available within hours, while others may take days or weeks.

Pericardial drainage

Normal:	No bacteria, red blood cells, or cancer cells are present in the pericardial fluid.
	Less than 500 white blood cells (WBCs) per mm3 are present in pericardial fluid.
	The pericardial fluid is clear or pale yellow.
	Sugar (glucose) is present, but in amounts similar to that found in the blood.
	There is less than 50 mL (2 fl oz) of fluid in the pericardial sac.
Abnormal:	The pericardial fluid contains blood, bacteria, or cancer cells.
	More than 500 white blood cells per mm3 are present in the pericardial fluid.
	The pericardial fluid looks cloudy.
	There is more than 50 mL (2 fl oz) of fluid in the pericardial sac.

Abnormal values

A buildup of pericardial fluid may be caused by:

• Swelling (inflammation) of the sac that surrounds the heart (pericarditis).
• Infection from a virus, bacteria (such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis), or fungi. Viruses are a common cause of pericarditis.
• Other diseases, such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, kidney failure, or hypothyroidism.
• Blood may be present after a heart attack with possible rupture of the heart muscle, a dissecting aortic aneurysm, recent surgery, injury, or cancer.

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Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC	Last Updated: July 24, 2006
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine George Philippides, MD - Cardiology
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