Patient selection: pericardial effusion
Parameters:
(1) length of the heart (L) along the major axis in cm
(2) first minor axis of the heart (D1) in the apical four chamber view in cm
(3) second minor axis of the heart (D2) in the parasternal short axis view in cm
(4) length of the pericardium (L) along the major axis in cm
(5) first minor axis of the pericardium (D1) in the apical four chamber view in cm
(6) second minor axis of the pericardium (D2) in the parasternal short axis view in cm
volume of the heart assuming a prolate ellipse in mL =
= 4/3 * PI() * (length of heart) / 2 * (D1 of heart) / 2 * (D2 of heart) / 2 =
= 1/6 * PI() * (length of heart) * (D1 of heart) * (D2 of heart)
volume of the pericardium assuming a prolate ellipse in mL =
= 4/3 * PI() * (length of pericardium) / 2 * (D1 of pericardium) / 2 * (D2 of pericardium) / 2 =
= 1/6 * PI() * (length of pericardium) * (D1 of pericardium) * (D2 of pericardium)
volume of pericardial effusion in mL =
= (volume of pericardium) - (volume of heart)
Interpretation:
• A large pericardial effusion has been defined as > 500 mL or > 1,000 mL.
