Etymed
pericardial effusion
Definition
The abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac surrounding the heart
Clinical context
A 65-year-old man presents to the emergency department with sudden onset chest pain and shortness of breath. He has a history of lung cancer and recently started chemotherapy. On examination, he has muffled heart sounds, jugular venous distension, and pulsus paradoxus. Echocardiography reveals fluid around the heart. What is the most likely diagnosis? The correct answer is pericardial effusion, which can be a paraneoplastic complication of malignancy.
Mnemonic
P-E-F - Pericardial Effusion Forms, causing Pulsus Paradoxus, with muffled heart sounds