Pericardial Window
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 6, 2024.
What do I need to know about pericardial window (PW)?
PW is surgery to drain extra fluid from the protective sac around your heart (pericardium). The extra fluid puts pressure on your heart. This makes it hard for your heart to work properly.
How do I prepare for PW?
- Your surgeon will tell you how to prepare. Your surgeon may tell you not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. Arrange to have someone drive you home when you are discharged.
- Tell your surgeon about all medicines you currently take. Your surgeon will tell you if you need to stop any medicine for the surgery, and when to stop. Your surgeon will tell you which medicines to take or not take on the day of surgery.
- Tell your surgeon about any allergies you have, including medicines or anesthesia. You may be given an antibiotic to help prevent a bacterial infection.
- You may need blood and urine tests before your surgery. These tests show how well your kidneys are functioning and your blood is clotting. You may need an EKG, a chest x-ray, or an echocardiogram. A CT, MRI, or heart catheterization may also be needed.
What will happen during PW?
- In most cases you will be given general anesthesia. This type of anesthesia will keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery. You may be given local anesthesia to numb the surgery area. With local anesthesia, you may feel pressure or pushing, but you should not feel any pain.
- There are several ways to do this surgery. Your surgeon may make an incision below your breastbone. Instead, one or more small incisions may be made between your ribs. Several smaller incisions will be made on the side of your chest if your surgeon uses a scope. The scope and other small instruments will be inserted through these incisions.
- Your surgeon will remove a small piece of the sac around your heart. This will allow the extra fluid to drain. A shunt, or hollow tube, may be placed. This keeps the area open and prevents another build up of extra fluid. A sample of the fluid or the sac may be collected for more testing. A chest tube may be placed to help drain the extra fluid. Your incisions will be closed with staples, stitches, medical tape, or medical glue.
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What should I expect after PW?
You may have mild pain or discomfort for a few days. You may have a chest tube draining extra fluid from your heart or chest. You may need to stay in the hospital for a few days. You may need an echocardiogram before you are discharged from the hospital. This test shows new build up of fluid after your surgery.
What are the risks of PW?
You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. Your heart may be damaged during the surgery. Extra fluid may build up around your heart again. You may need to have another heart surgery. You may have an abnormal heart rhythm or heart attack. The ability of your heart to function properly may be decreased. This can lead to heart failure.
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