An emergency procedure that removes fluid from the pericardial sac around the heart using a needle or catheter. It's performed to treat cardiac tamponade, a life-threatening condition where fluid compresses the heart.
From Greek 'peri' meaning 'around,' 'kardia' meaning 'heart,' and 'kentesis' meaning 'puncture.' The term describes puncturing the sac that surrounds the heart.
Pericardiocentesis can be life-saving within minutes, as cardiac tamponade prevents the heart from filling properly and can cause rapid cardiovascular collapse. The pericardial sac normally contains just 15-50ml of lubricating fluid, but in disease states can accumulate over a liter of fluid that compresses the heart.
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