TREATMENT OF URÆMIC PERICARDITIS BY ANTERIOR PERICARDIECTOMY

Mortality, morbidity, and length of hospital stay have been evaluated in 16 dialysis patients who developed pericarditis and were treated with anterior pericardiectomy followed by 24-48 hours of chest-tube drainage. There was no mortality and only minor morbidity. All patients had clinical improvement, with resolution of fever, pain, leucocytosis, and pericardial rub within four days. Average postoperative hospital stay was 13 days. No patient developed recurrent or constrictive pericarditis (maximum follow-up 60 months). In dialysis patients who develop pericarditis with progressive effusion, anterior pericardiectomy reduces mortality, morbidity, and stay in hospital, prevents recurrence of the disease, and may improve healing of the inflamed pericardium.