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. 2005 Jan;18(1):38–55. doi: 10.1080/08998280.2005.11928030

Table 4.

Etiology of effusion (<50 mL) into pericardial space

Serous effusion

  1. Congestive cardiac failure

  2. Hypoalbuminemia

  3. Irradiation

Bloody effusion (hematocrit >10%)
  1. Iatrogenesis
    1. Cardiac operation
    2. Cardiac catheterization
    3. Trauma (penetrating and nonpenetrating)
    4. Anticoagulant agents
    5. Chemotherapeutic agents

  2. Neoplasm

  3. Trauma

  4. Acute myocardial infarction

  5. Cardiac rupture

  6. Rupture of ascending aorta or major pulmonary artery

  7. Coagulopathy
    1. Thrombocytopenia
    2. Hypoprothrombinemia
    3. Other (hemophilia, Gaucher's disease, etc.)

  8. Renal of disease

Lymphatic or chylous effusion

  1. Neoplasm

  2. Iatrogenesis
    1. Cardiothoracic surgery

  3. Congenital condition

  4. Idiopathy (“primary chylopericardium”)

  5. Nonneoplastic obstruction of pulmonary hilum or superior vena cava