ABSTRACT
Percutaneous transcatheter aspiration of fluid from the pericardium or pericardiocentesis is performed for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. It is indicated as a diagnostic procedure to establish the etiology of a pericardial effusion. Therapeutic pericardiocentesis is most commonly performed emergently to relieve cardiac tamponade and thereby prevent progression to pulseless electrical activity and cardiac arrest. Diagnostic information is also gained in this setting through analysis of the pericardial fluid and evaluation of the pericardial pressure. When pericardial hemodynamic assessment is performed with concomitant right heart catheterization, processes such as effusive-constrictive pericarditis can be confirmed or ruled-out.1
