[Stllearnin]

Is it possible for someone preicarditis to be so severe to the point where even attempting to drain the pericardial sack could cause the heart to go into cardiac arrest? Also, assuming this were true, would blood pressure reduction medicine help reduce the chances of cardiac arrest?

I know this sounds very strange, but I'm no cardiologist, and this seemed like a good place to start looking/researching. Thank you all.

[UroDoc]

there is always the risk of damaging the heart or causing an electrical disturbance (arrhythmia) when inserting a needle to drain fluid around the heart. The risk factors would include the amount of fluid, anatomy, imagining ability, technical skill, and degree of inflammation. Having a normal pressure would be better than a high one.

[roger_george]

I recently had surgery for pericarditis in which the pericardium was
removed. I am still experiencing shortness of breath and am easily fatigued.
What is the prognosis for post surgery patients and survival rate. Also, is
there any facilities near Indiana that specialize in this disease? My cardiologist
is a fine doctor but I was only his third case of pericarditis.