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Muhammad Sher-i-Murtaza, Muhammad Hamid Chaudhary, Iftikhar Paras and Ahmad Abdul Manan

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the effect of posterior pericardiotomy to prevent postoperative pericardial effusion.

Study Design: prospective observational study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Chaudhary Pervaiz Elahi (CPE) Institute of Cardiology, Multan, Pakistan, from January 2019 to August 2020.

Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent mechanical valve replacement surgery and posterior pericardiotomy at time of surgery were included in the study group (Group 1) and patient in whom posterior pericardiotomy was not done during valve replacement surgery were taken as a control group (Group 2). Perioperative characteristics of all patients were recorded. Primary end-point of the study was postoperative large pericardial effusion which needs surgical drainage.

Results: 2,399 patients were operated for cardiac diseases, out of which 520 (21.6%) patients underwent valve replacement surgery. Posterior pericardiotomy was done at time of surgery in 70 patients. There was no difference between the two treatment groups with regard to age, sex, LV ejection fraction, preoperative pulmonary pressure, operation type, cross clamp time and CPB time. 21 patients (4.67%) developed postoperative large pericardial effusion in control group. However, it was not statistically significant (p >0.065). Operative mortality of pericardial effusion drainage was 19%.

Conclusion: We concluded that Posterior Pericardiotomy at time of valve replacement surgery is a safe and effective technique to prevent postoperative Pericardial Effusion.

Key Words: Posterior pericardiotomy, Postoperative pericardial effusion

Citation of article: Sher-i-Murtaza M, Chaudhary MH, Paras I, Abdul Manan A. Efficacy of Posterior Pericardiotomy to Prevent Postoperative Pericardial Effusion after Valvular Heart Surgery. Med Forum 2021;32(6):10-14.