Pericardiocentesis in Cardiac Tamponade — Innovative Treatment Methods

Dr. Jonathan Kiev MD has been a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon for over 30 years. As the president of AOK innovations, LLC, Jonathan Kiev MD participates in designing and developing innovative devices such as the PCAD used in cardiac tamponade treatment.

Cardiac tamponade is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by fluid buildup in the pericardium, the sac that surrounds the heart. This fluid inhibits the heart from fully stretching, hindering its ability to pump blood. The pericardium can expand to accommodate fluid buildup, but when it can no longer do so, an equalization of intrapericardial pressures occurs. When this happens, the right ventricle collapses, leading to low blood pressure, shock, or death.

Pericardiocentesis is a medical procedure to remove pericardial fluid and treat cardiac tamponade. It is a procedure that involves inserting a long, thin needle through the chest of a patient and guiding it into the pericardium. When the needle reaches the desired location, it is withdrawn and replaced with a tube known as a catheter. The catheter allows the pericardial fluid to drain into a container, which is then taken to a laboratory for examination.

While various methods have been previously used to remove pericardial fluid, new design innovations are improving outcomes and increasing efficiency. The PCAD is an innovative device that uses well-known techniques and procedures to allow for rapid evacuation of pericardial fluid collection from cirrus and bleeding etiologies. Unlike other devices, the PCAD is self-contained and requires no other instruments for the procedure, making it very reliable and versatile.