PERCUTANEOUS BALLOON PERICARDIOTOMY

Percutaneous balloon pericardiotomy (PBP) is a procedure done to drain excess fluid in the sac around the heart. The procedure uses a long thin tube with a balloon attached. Fluid is drained out through the tube.

Many different types of medical problems can cause an abnormal fluid buildup around the heart. These include:

• Autoimmune disease
• Cancer
• Infection
• Injury

The fluid buildup can cause shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, low blood pressure, and chest pain. Sometimes this is treatable with medicines. In other cases, this abnormal fluid is life-threatening and requires urgent drainage.