A cardiac ultrasound showing pericardial cystic fluid may suggest pericardial effusion, which should be interpreted on the basis of the test report and clinical symptoms.
Under normal circumstances, the heart is encased by a fibroelastic sac cavity containing a small amount of thin layer of fluid, which reduces the friction caused by the heart beat and acts as a lubricant. A pericardial effusion occurs when there is more fluid in the pericardial sac cavity than is normally present, and the amount of fluid in the pericardial cavity can be determined by cardiac ultrasound.
Pericardial effusion can occur in any lesion involving the heart, pericardium, or other organs, including myocardial pericarditis, acute pericarditis, intrathoracic tumors, or ascending aortic coarctation. Pericardial effusions are categorized as chronic, subacute, or acute. The following symptoms may occur: shortness of breath or dyspnea, sedentary breathing, pain behind the sternum or on the left side of the chest, and swelling of the lower extremities or abdomen.
In severe cases, when fluid is produced faster than the pericardium’s ability to stretch or when large amounts of pericardial fluid continue to accumulate for a short period of time, the pressure inside the pericardium increases rapidly, thus preventing the heart from filling up, compressing the heart, and affecting the heart’s function, and pericardial tamponade occurs, which may result in heart failure or even a life-threatening condition.
When a pericardial effusion is detected on examination, it is important to seek timely medical attention and seek the help of a specialist.