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Pericardial fluid culture

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Heart, section through the middle Pericardial fluid culture

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Pericardial fluid culture

Definition:

This is a laboratory test performed on a specimen of pericardial fluid to isolate and identify organisms that cause infection.

Alternative Names:
Culture - pericardial fluid

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How the test is performed:

The fluid must first be taken from the sac surrounding the heart. In some people, a cardiac monitor may be placed prior to the test to monitor for heart disturbances. Patches called electrodes will be placed on the chest similar to during an ECG. A chest x-ray or ultrasound may be done before the test.

The skin of the chest will be cleaned with antibacterial soap. A trained physician, often a cardiologist, will take the sample. A small needle is inserted into the chest between the ribs into the pericardium, which is the thin sac that surrounds the heart, and a small amount of fluid is withdrawn.

There will be a sensation of pressure and some pain as the needle is inserted into the chest. An ECG and chest x-ray may be done after the test. Sometimes the pericardial fluid is taken during open heart surgery.

Samples of the fluid are placed in various culture media (substances that encourage bacterial growth) in the laboratory. The media is observed for the growth of colonies of microorganisms (bacteria). Certain biochemical tests can identify certain organisms while others require blood tests or tissue culture to identify organisms.

It can take anywhere from a few hours to several weeks to get the test results depending on the type of organism.

How to prepare for the test:

You will be asked not to eat of drink anything for several hours before the test. A chest x-ray or ultrasound may be done before the test to identify the area of fluid collection.