Singh, AKumar, SHimanshu, DSethi, RPradhan, A2020-01-022020-01-022019-09Singh A, Kumar S, Himanshu D, Sethi R, Pradhan A. Clinico-Epidemiological Study of Pericardial Effusion in Northern India. Indian Journal of Community Health. 2019 Sep; 31(3): 322-3300971-75872248-9509http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/191999Background: Pericardial effusions may be discovered incidentally or as life-threatening scenario of cardiac tamponade. Hence, etiological identification of pericardial effusion proves crucial in-patient management. Aim: To assess the clinical presentation and etiology of pericardial effusion at a tertiary-care centre in India. Methods: This was a retrospective, observational, single-centre one-year hospital-based study. Data from 70 diagnosed cases of pericardial effusion from our tertiary-care centre in India from August 2016 to July 2017 was retrospectively reviewed. A diagnosis of pericardial effusion was confirmed based on findings from clinical history, examination, specific laboratory investigations, and radiological investigations. Pericardial fluid analysis was also performed. Results: The mean age of the patients was 46.87±14.40 years. Almost equal frequencies of men 36 (51.4%) and women 34 (48.6%) were observed. The most commonly observed signs/symptoms of patients diagnosed with pericardial effusion was raised jugular venous pulse in 39 (55.7%) patients, breathlessness in 36 (51.4%) patients, and tachypnea and tachycardia (heart rate >100 beats per minute) in 33 (47.1%) patients each. An etiology of tubercular effusion was common in 32 (44.4%) patients. On analyzing data according to the underlying etiology, the most frequent sign/symptom was raised jugular venous pulse in 20 (62.5%) patients diagnosed with tubercular effusion, tachypnea in 10 (52.6%) patients diagnosed with hypothyroidism and tachycardia in 12 (63.2%) patients with a diagnosis other than pericardial effusion or hypothyroidism. Conclusions: The high prevalence of tuberculosis in India warrants increased control and awareness of this infection.Pericardial TamponadeJugular Venous PressureEchocardiographyTuberculosisJournal ArticleIndiaKing George's Medical University, LucknowKing George's Medical University, LucknowKing George's Medical University, LucknowKing George's Medical University, LucknowKing George's Medical University, Lucknow