Clinical outcome of patients with severe malignant pericardial effusion due to neoplastic disease undergoing percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background Neoplastic pericardial effusion (NPE) is a serious complication that occurs in the setting of advanced oncological disease and associated with high recurrence rate. Currently, pericardiocentesis (PCT) remains first therapeutic option use percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy (PBP) limited to treatment recurrences. However, it not known whether some aspects procedure during PBP lead different outcomes terms survival recurrence, no such patients have been included studies COVID-19 pandemic. Purpose The aim analyses success, complications rate (defined as NPE requiring PCT, or surgical window (SPW) both procedures (BP) order establish optimal entry for these patients. Methods This research analyzed clinical characteristics prognostic factors severe neoplastic etiology who underwent A prospective study was conducted involving 23 admitted between January 2020 2022 PCT initial NPE. Results We patients, 62.9% were male mean age 51.2±14.9 years manifestation process 12 (52.1%) lung cancer being most frequently primary (58.7%) followed by breast 12.7% cases. total 26 performed, 10 15 PBP, 1 SPW, tumors cells identified fluid 13.0% used an point (43.5%), 6 positive performed treatment. While chosen 13 (56.5%) (2 Re-PBP). efficacy 93.1% 92.2% respectively (p=0.88), occurring group but scheduled SPW. In former group, percentage recurrences higher (34.7%; 8 patients) compared treated upfront (8.6%; 2 patients), p=0.09. addition, only one patient had resort surgery. When according BP. used, 4.0 times (34.7 vs. 8.6% recurrences), although without reaching statistical significance (p=0.16). Conclusions simple, safe effective technique pandemic, our series lower Therefore, could replace pandemic line treatment, providing better quality life reducing need re-interventions. Funding Acknowledgement Type funding sources: None.