Percutaneous Balloon Pericardiotomy and Window  Creation for Treating Recurrent Massive Pericardial  Effusion in Patients with Cancer: A Case Series and  Literature Review

Azin  Alizadehasl; Ata  Firouzi; Haniye  Hajiali Fini; Parisa   Firoozbakhsh; Negar  Dokhani; Rezvaneh  Shourmeij

doi:10.18502/jthc.v19i1.15615

Azin Alizadehasl Cardio-Oncology Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ata Firouzi Cardiovascular Intervention Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Haniye Hajiali Fini Adult Echocardiography Department, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Parisa Firoozbakhsh Cardio-Oncology Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Negar Dokhani Cardio-Oncology Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Rezvaneh Shourmeij Cardio-Oncology Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jthc.v19i1.15615

Keywords: Neoplasms; Pericardial effusion; Cardiac tamponade; Pericardiocentesis; Pericardiectomy

Abstract

Cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, and pericardial effusion is relatively common in these patients.
What constitutes the best therapeutic method for treating pericardial effusion in patients with cancer is controversial. Recent decades have witnessed the introduction of percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy, an effective and less-invasive method with lower recurrence rates than pericardiocentesis for draining pericardial effusion in patients with cancer who have a poor prognosis.
We herein describe 2 patients with a history of metastatic melanoma and metastatic breast cancer, presenting with
symptomatic massive pericardial effusions. The patients had experienced 2 episodes of cardiac tamponade in the preceding 4 to 5 months, treated via surgical drainage. In their current episode, they were both successfully treated via percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy, and there was no recurrence of significant pericardial effusion reported during the follow-up.