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Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2002;22:373-376
© 2002 Elsevier Science NL

Intrapericardial fibrynolytic therapy in purulent pericarditis

Haim Üstünsoy^a*, Mehmet Adnan Celkan^a, Muammer Cumhur Sivrikoz^a, Hakki Kazaz^a, Metin Kilinç^b

^a Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, Gaziantep University School of Medicine, Göüs ve Kalp Damar Cerrahisi Anabilimdali, Kolejtepe, Gaziantep, Turkey
^b Department of Paediatric Cardiology, Gaziantep University School of Medicine, Çocuk Hastaliklari Anabilimdali, Kolejtepe, Gaziantep, Turkey

Received 16 January 2002; received in revised form 18 April 2002; accepted 19 April 2002.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +90-342-336-1217; fax: +90-342-336-5505
e-mail: hustunsoy{at}yahoo.com

Objective: Purulent pericarditis is a rare disease that is being conventionally managed with intravenous antibiotics and pericardial drainage. In our study, we used intrapericardial fibrinolytic treatment together with pericardiocentesis and antibiotic therapy. We evaluated the role of intrapericardial fibrinolytic treatment in nine purulent pericarditis patients. Methods: Six children and three adult patients with purulent pericarditis, aged between 5 and 50 years, were treated with intrapericardial fibrinolysis by streptokinase. Intrapericardial drainage catheter was placed into the subxyphoidal localization under local anaesthesia and echocardiography guidance, streptokinase was infused into the pericardial sac as the fibrinolytic agent. Results: Repeat echocardiograms showed no reaccumulation of pericardial effusions, pericardial thickening or constrictions. No patients had systemic bleeding, arrhytmias, or hypotension. There was one death which was due to sepsis and congestive heart failure. Conclusion: We believe that early pericardial drainage and intrapericardial fibrinolysis appears to be safe and effective in the treatment of purulent pericarditis.

Key Words: Fibrinolytic • Purulent pericarditis

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