The Pericardial Drainage Catheter Set Instructions for Placement and Use

1. Make a stab incision through the skin and partially through the intercostals muscle at the site of the local anaesthesia.
2. Attach a 20ml syringe to the needle. Insert the needle through the stab incision and into the pleural cavity.
3. Redirect the needle so that it is perpendicular to the pericardium-this usually means directing towards the centre of the heart.
4. Advance the needle until the pericardium is felt to scratch on the needle.
5. Then continue to advance the needle, maintaining a small vacuum on the 20ml syringe, until pericardial effusion (usually a bloody effusion) is withdrawn.
6. If the needle touches the heart it may result in ectopics or a change in the ST segment.
7. Holding the needle in this position, remove the syringe and insert the guide wire (soft-end) through the needle and into the pericardium.
8. Remove the needle leaving the guide wire positioned in the pericardium.
9. Thread the catheter over the guide wire, through the skin and intercostals space and into the pericardium.
10. Remove the guide wire, leaving the catheter in the pericardium.
11. Attach a 50ml syringe and 3-way tap to the catheter and withdraw the pericardial effusion. If this is a bloody effusion, and you are not certain it is pericardial (versus cardiac blood), check the PCV and clotting time of the effusion. The PCV is usually very different and the pericardial effusion does not clot.
12. Continue to gently withdraw all the pericardial effusion and then remove the catheter, suturing the skin incision.

Equipment List

PCS911* 9 French, 20cm long catheter with six distal side holes, an 18 gauge, 7.0 long introduction needle and a 0.038” inch diameter, 50cm wire guide

* Every set sold Arnolds will donate £1 to Pet Savers

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