Accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac; can lead to cardiac tamponade (accumulation of fluid leads to increased intrapericardial pressure, which subsequently impairs cardiac filling during diastole)
Aetiology
Specific malignancies associated with pericardial effusion include lung and breast cancer, and lymphomas that metastasize to the pericardium
Clinical features
Can be well tolerated if gradual (lung cancers often present with one)
Presence of ‘tamponade’ depends on the rapidity of onset (i.e. traumatic haemo-pericardium is very poorly tolerated)