Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Pericardial effusion has become a common clinical condition and consequent to human immunodeficiency virus pandemic, the condition has been on the increase. Its effects on the heart often present as an emergency requiring early recognition and interventions to prevent disability and death. This study evaluated the clinical, laboratory profile of patients and clinical outcomes of treatment of this condition.
METHODS: A cross-sectional study based on retrospective review of medical records of patients admitted for pericardial effusion, over an eleven-year period was undertaken. Outcome variables analysed were: demographics, percentage with cardiac, renal or liver failure and the percentage of those with abnormal ECG and echo findings. Correlation between biochemical results of pericardial fluid and final aetiology of pericardial effusion was determined.
RESULTS: 204 medical records of patients, aged between 25 and 55 years, with 50.7% males and 49.3% females, were reviewed. Cardiac, renal and liver failure were noted in 36.8%, 26.0% and 17.2% patients, respectively. Cardiogenic shock was found in 5.9%, and 96.5% had cardiomegaly on chest X-ray. From records of ECG, 22.8% had normal findings, 26.5% had small-QRS complexes and 57.4% presented with mild pericardial effusion based on echo findings. There was poor correlation (r = 0.44) between the biochemistry results of pericardial fluid and the aetiology of pericardial effusion.
CONCLUSION: Curative outcome was achieved in 78.9% of the patients and mortality rate among the patients was 88 deaths/1000 patients. Cardiomegaly was the most accurate investigation related to pericardial effusion but biochemical results were poorly correlated with the disease.

Keywords
Clinical/Laboratory features; Adult patients; pericardial effusion

Cite this paper
Mphahlele M.J., Motswaledi M.H., Towobola O.A., CLINICAL AND LABORATORY PROFILE OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH PERICARDIAL EFFUSION AT DR GEORGE MUKHARI ACADEMIC HOSPITAL, PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA , SCIREA Journal of Clinical Medicine. Volume 5, Issue 6, December 2020 | PP. 127-143.

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