What is Ayme Gripp syndrome?

Clinical characteristics: Aymé-Gripp syndrome is classically defined as the triad of bilateral early cataracts, sensorineural hearing loss, and characteristic facial features in combination with neurodevelopmental abnormalities.

Can drugs cause pericardial effusion?

Causes of Pericardial Effusion Certain prescription drugs, such as hydralazine, a medication for high blood pressure; isoniazid, a tuberculosis drug; and phenytoin, a medication for epileptic seizures. Chemotherapy drugs, such as doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide.

What is small pericardial effusion?

There is normally a small amount of fluid around the heart (small pericardial effusion). This is produced by the sac around the heart and is an important part of normal heart functioning. Excess fluid around the heart is known as a pericardial effusion.

What is the most common cause of pericardial effusion?

Lung cancer is the most common cause of the malignant pericardial effusion. Trauma: Blunt, penetrating, and iatrogenic injury to the myocardium, aorta, or coronary vessels can lead to the accumulation of blood within the pericardial sac.

What medication is used for pericardial effusion?

Indomethacin (Indocin) Indomethacin is the drug of choice in this class, although other NSAIDs (ie, ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin) possess some efficacy. It is used as initial therapy for mild to moderately severe inflammatory pericardial effusions.

Is a pericardial effusion serious?

Pericardial effusion can put pressure on the heart, affecting how the heart works. If untreated, it may lead to heart failure or death in extreme cases.

What are the signs and symptoms of pericardial effusion?

What are the symptoms of pericardial effusion?

• Chest pain or discomfort.
• Enlargement of the veins of the neck.
• Fainting.
• Fast breathing.
• Increased heart rate.
• Nausea.
• Pain in the right upper abdomen.
• Shortness of breath.

What infections cause pericardial effusion?

Infections. Pericardial effusion often happens because of viral or bacterial infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis (though this is less common in developed countries). It can also happen because of fungal infections or parasites.

Is pericardial effusion life threatening?

When is a pericardial effusion serious?

In this condition, the excess fluid within the pericardium puts pressure on the heart. The strain prevents the heart chambers from filling completely with blood. Cardiac tamponade results in poor blood flow and a lack of oxygen to the body. Cardiac tamponade is life-threatening and requires emergency medical treatment.

Why does pericardial effusion occur?

Pericardial effusion can result from inflammation of the pericardium (pericarditis) after an illness or injury. In some settings, large effusions may be caused by certain cancers. A blockage of pericardial fluids or a collection of blood within the pericardium also can lead to this condition.

How long can you live with pericardial effusion?

Survival rates are consistently poor in patients with malignancy who present with a pericardial effusion. In our series, patients had a median survival of 2.6 months. Patients with lung cancer had a median survival of 2.1 months while those with other types of cancer of 4.7 months.

What are symptoms of pericardial effusion?

If pericardial effusion signs and symptoms do occur, they might include:

• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing (dyspnea)
• Discomfort when breathing while lying down.
• Chest pain, usually behind the breastbone or on the left side of the chest.
• Chest fullness.
• Lightheadedness or feeling faint.

What are the complications of pericardial effusion?

A potential complication of pericardial effusion is cardiac tamponade (tam-pon-AYD). In this condition, the excess fluid within the pericardium puts pressure on the heart. The strain prevents the heart chambers from filling completely with blood. Cardiac tamponade results in poor blood flow and a lack of oxygen to the body.

What causes pericardial effusion?

Pericardial effusion can result from inflammation of the pericardium (pericarditis) after an illness or injury. In some settings, large effusions may be caused by certain cancers. A blockage of pericardial fluids or a collection of blood within the pericardium also can lead to this condition.

Is pericardial effusion an emergency?

Cardiac tamponade resulting from pericardial effusion can be life-threatening and is a medical emergency, requiring urgent drainage of the fluid. What causes pericardial effusion?

What is the clinical presentation of pericardial effusion in cardiac tamponade?

The clinical presentation of pericardial effusion is along a spectrum from a clinically irrelevant, incidental finding to life-threatening cardiac tamponade. This wide variation is due in large part to the variable rate of accumulation of the pericardial fluid.