Disturbance of pulmonary gas exchange in patients with acute myocardial infarction-associated pericardial effusion.

To elucidate the effect of pericardial effusion on pulmonary gas exchange in patients with infarction-associated pericardial effusion, 294 consecutive patients with their first Q-wave anterior wall acute myocardial infarction were examined carefully by echocardiography, chest radiography and hemodynamic monitoring. A pericardial effusion was detected in 77 patients and was absent in 217 (group 1). Of the 77 patients with pericardial effusion, it was mild in 57 (group 2) and moderate in 20 (group 3). Patients with pericardial effusion (groups 2 and 3) had significantly greater pulmonary artery wedge pressure and more left ventricular segments with advanced asynergy than did those in group 1. Although there were no significant differences in pulmonary artery wedge pressure and number of left ventricular segments with advanced asynergy between groups 2 and 3, group 3 had significantly greater right atrial pressure, alveolar arterial oxygen difference and incidence of high radiographic score. Thus, accumulation of pericardial effusion to a moderate amount may contribute to the greater incidence of increase in extravascular lung water, and disturbance of pulmonary gas exchange.