Can pericardial effusion cause tracheal deviation?
Disease description:
A slightly increased amount of fluid in the pericardial cavity was detected, and this fluid can also shift to other locations. Can pericardial effusion displace the trachea?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Li Man
Such complications can occur—when the volume of fluid is large, the heart may enlarge, and even the lungs may become compressed, leading to pulmonary atelectasis (inability of the lungs to expand properly). Moreover, both the volume of pericardial effusion and its duration significantly influence the patient’s symptoms and prognosis. Patients must seek prompt medical attention for interventional treatment, including pericardiocentesis and drainage to remove the pericardial fluid and mitigate its adverse effects on cardiac function.
