Why Is Pericardiocentesis Dangerous?

The risks of pericardiocentesis include: Puncturing the heart, which may require surgery to repair. Puncturing the liver. Excess bleeding, which might compress the heart and affect its normal function.

Is pericardiocentesis done under anesthesia?

This is a more invasive procedure in which the pericardium is drained into the chest (pleural) cavity. Alternatively, the fluid may be drained into the peritoneal cavity, but this is less common. This procedure may need to be done under general anesthesia.

How dangerous is fluid around the heart?

Most times, it's small and causes no serious problems. If it's large, it can compress your heart and hamper its ability to pump blood. This condition, called cardiac tamponade, is potentially life-threatening. To find the cause of a pericardial effusion, your doctor may take a sample of the pericardial fluid.