Pericardial fluid culture

定义

Pericardial fluid culture is a test performed on a sample of fluid from the sac surrounding the heart. It is done to identify organisms that cause infection.

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选择的名字

Culture - pericardial fluid

How the Test is Performed

Some people may have a cardiac monitor placed before the test to check for heart disturbances. Patches called electrodes will be placed on the chest, similar to during an 心电图. A 胸部x光片 or 超声波 may be done before the test.

The skin of the chest will be cleaned with antibacterial soap. A health care provider inserts a small needle into the chest between the ribs into the thin sac that surrounds the heart (the pericardium). A small amount of fluid is removed.

You may have an 心电图 and 胸部x光片 after the test. Sometimes the pericardial fluid is taken during open heart surgery.

The sample is sent to a lab. Samples of the fluid are placed on dishes of growth media to see if bacteria grow. It can take a few days to several (6 to 8) weeks to get the test results.

How to Prepare for the Test

You will be asked to not eat or drink anything for several hours before the test. You may have a 胸部x光片 or 超声波 before the test to identify the area of fluid collection.

How the Test will Feel

You will feel some pressure and discomfort when the needle is inserted into the chest and the fluid is removed. Your provider should be able to give you pain medicine so that the procedure does not hurt very much.

Why the Test is Performed

Your provider may order this test if you have a heart infection (myocarditis), signs of a heart sac infection, or a pericardial effusion (fluid buildup of the pericardium) with an unknown cause.

The test may also be done if you have or are suspected to have 心包炎.

正常的结果

A normal result means no bacteria or fungi are found in the fluid sample.

What Abnormal Results Mean

Abnormal results may be due to an infection of the pericardium. The specific organism causing the infection may be identified. More tests may be needed to determine the most effective treatments.

风险

Complications are rare but include:

• Heart or lung puncture
• 感染

参考文献

Banks AZ, Corey GR. Myocarditis and 心包炎. In: Cohen J, Powderly WG, Opal SM, eds. 传染病. 第四版. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:446-455.

LeWinter MM, Cremer PC, Klein AL. Pericardial diseases. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Bhatt DL, Solomon SD, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 12日艾德. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 86.

麦施B，里斯特AD. Pericardial diseases. In: Vincent JL, Moore FA, Bellomo R, Marini JJ, eds. Textbook of Critical Care. 8日艾德. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 75.

帕特尔R. The clinician and the microbiology laboratory: test ordering, 样本采集, and result interpretation. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of 传染病. 9日艾德. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 16.