pericardiocentesis

2 9.0

A medical procedure that removes fluid from the bag around the heart

noun
/ˌpɛrɪˌkɑrdiəʊsɛnˈtiːsɪs/

Specialized

: pericardiocentesis

After the echocardiogram showed significant fluid buildup, the patient was scheduled for a pericardiocentesis to prevent complications.
pericardiocentesis tray

Examples

After the pericardiocentesis, the patient's breathing improved significantly.
The doctor performed a pericardiocentesis to relieve the patient's discomfort.
The doctor performed a pericardiocentesis to relieve pressure on the patient's heart.
A pericardiocentesis can help diagnose infections or other causes of fluid buildup around the heart.
After the pericardiocentesis, the patient felt much better.
The doctor performed a pericardiocentesis to relieve pressure caused by fluid around the heart.
During the emergency procedure, the team successfully completed a pericardiocentesis to drain excess fluid from the heart sac.

Surface Forms

pericardiocentesis singular

pericardiocenteses plural

Morphology

pericardiocentesis = peri + cardio + centesis

Although the term is built from Greek combining forms meaning 'around', 'heart', and 'puncture', these elements are not transparent to an average English learner, so the meaning is largely opaque.

Etymology

The word pericardiocentesis is made of peri- 'around', cardio 'heart', and -centesis 'to make a small hole and remove fluid', so it means a needle procedure to take fluid away from around the heart to relieve pressure.