Indicaciones de la biopsia pericárdica

Pericardial biopsy has opened a new perspective for establishing the etiology of pericardial diseases. However, its diagnostic value has been reported limited. Technical advances in instrumentation and introduction of pericardioscopy have improved the diagnostic yield. The traditional subxiphoid approach allows very limited exposure of the pericardium resulting in a low index of etiologic diagnosis and in rates of recurrence of pericardial effusion (according to authors, from 15-40 %). The development of endoscopic equipment has allowed to introduce new techniques, like video-assisted pericardioscopy and thoracoscopy window, that have improved diagnostic accuracy. This invasive pericardial procedure is recommended in patients with suspected pericarditis and neoplastic or tuberculous pericardial effusion.