Pericardial Effusion: How to Care for Your Child

Pericardial effusion happens when there is too much fluid in the pericardium. The pericardium is a thin sac that surrounds a person’s heart. The sac protects the heart and keeps it in place. Extra fluid can build up in the pericardium when there is inflammation (swelling and irritation), infection, or after heart surgery. As the fluid collects, it causes pressure on the heart. Doctors treat pericardial effusion when there is too much fluid. Small amounts of fluid may not need treatment.

Your child has been treated and can recover at home.

• Give your child any prescribed medicines exactly as directed.

• Ask your cardiologist which activities your child should avoid and which ones they can safely do.

• Pay close attention for any symptoms, such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or pain with breathing (especially when leaning forward).

Your child has:

• trouble breathing

• chest pain

• fever 

• fainting 

• heart palpitations (fluttering)

How is a pericardial effusion diagnosed?  Doctors use some or all of these tests to identify a pericardial effusion:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), to check the electrical activity of the heart

• Chest X-ray, to create an image of the structures in the chest

• CT scan, to create a detailed cross-sectional view of the structures in the chest

• Blood tests, to look for the cause of pericarditis  

How are pericardial effusions treated? Some pericardial effusions don’t need treatment. When treatment is needed, doctors may:

• give medicines

• use a needle to drain the fluid (pericardiocentesis)

• do surgery to open up a part of the pericardium so the fluid can continue to drain