Pericardial Effusion & Tamponade

Montefiore Einstein offers the following content from Healthwise’s health information library.

Pericardial effusion: Fast facts

  • Pericardial effusion is a buildup of too much fluid in the sac around your heart.
  • This sac is called the pericardium.
  • Normally, there is a small amount of fluid between this sac and your heart.
  • This fluid surrounds and helps cushion your heart.
  • Extra fluid can be caused by many things, such as inflammation of the sac, a heart attack, and kidney failure.

Current as of: July 17, 2023

Author: Healthwise Staff

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