TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Chapter 36. Pericardiocentesis A1 - Reichman, Eric F. PY - 2013 T2 - Emergency Medicine Procedures, 2e AB - Pericardiocentesis is the removal of fluid from the pericardial space surrounding the heart. The fluid is usually aspirated with a needle and syringe. Occasionally, a catheter is placed within the pericardium or a surgical approach is used. This may be performed for diagnosis, to obtain pericardial fluid; to relieve a pericardial effusion and improve cardiac output; or as a lifesaving measure to relieve a cardiac tamponade. The technique is relatively simple to perform yet has a significant rate of complications. SN - PB - The McGraw-Hill Companies CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/28 UR - accessemergencymedicine.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=57703684 ER -