Pericardial Effusion
Clinical Pathways promote evidence-based, safe, and high-value patient care by providing clinical recommendations and standard processes. They are developed by multidisciplinary committees of subject matter experts, informed by a methodical review of available evidence and consensus among committee members.
Pericardial Effusion Clinical Pathway:
- Outpatient Management After Cardiac Surgery Algorithm
- Outpatient Management After Cardiac Surgery Synopsis (provides care standards employed for this clinical pathway)
Inclusion and exclusion criteria:
- Inclusion:
- Cardiac surgery patients being seen in outpatient cardiology clinic for first post-op visit (CV Surgery, ACTT, CHAMP)
- Echo and chest x-ray completed during current visit
- Exclusion:
- Post-transplant patients
- Interstage single ventricle patients
Committee members involved in the development:
- Aseel Dabbagh, DO, MBA | Pediatric Cardiologist, Heart Center | Committee Co-chair
- Blakelee Wright, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC | Heart Center | Committee Co-chair
- Edo Bedzra, MD, MBA | Congenital Cardiac Surgeon, Heart Center | Committee Member
- Margaret Brimeyer, DNP, ARNP, CPNP-AC/PC | Heart Center | Committee Member
- Bianca Cherestal, MD | Pediatric Cardiologist, Heart Center | Committee Member
- Jenny Leath, MSN, APRN, CPNP-AC | Heart Center | Committee Member
- Justin Sheets, PharmD, BCPPS | Pharmacy | Committee Member
EBP Committee Members:
- Todd Glenski, MD, MSHA, FASA | Anesthesiology, Evidence Based Practice
- Kori Hess, PharmD | Evidence Based Practice
Publication dates:
- Finalized date: 02/2026
- Next expected revision date: 2029
Concerns with content:
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These pathways do not establish a standard of care to be followed in every case. It is recognized that each case is different, and those individuals involved in providing health care are expected to use their judgment in determining what is in the best interests of the patient based on the circumstances existing at the time. It is impossible to anticipate all possible situations that may exist and to prepare a pathway for each. Accordingly, these pathways should guide care with the understanding that departures from them may be required at times.