Evaluation of efficiency and security of the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of the postoperative pericardical effusion

• Grant number: 08/09963-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 01, 2009
• End date: June 30, 2011
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Medical Clinics
• Principal Investigator: Roney Orismar Sampaio
• Grantee: Fernanda Lopez Mazzucato
• Host Institution: Instituto do Coração Professor Euryclides de Jesus Zerbini (INCOR). Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP (HCFMUSP). Secretaria da Saúde (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Pericardial effusion postpericardiotomy is a common complication and could result in different symptoms in the postoperative period, such as pleuritic chest pain and supraventricular arrhythmias. In some patients, pericardial effusion could restrict cardiac filling and may cause serious complications such as cardiac tamponade. In some institutions, pericardial effusion postpericardiotomy is treated using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. However, these medications may have some undesirable side effects, especially dyspepsia and kidney function disorders. Corticosteroids are used for the treatment of pericardial tuberculosis, and also for autoimmune, uremic, and other types of pericarditis. Nevertheless, the administration of these drugs in patients with pericardial effusion in the postoperative period of cardiac surgery has not been properly analyzed yet. The aim of this study is to analyze the effectiveness and safety of the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of pericardial effusion postpericardiotomy, compared to the current treatment using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory.(AU)