What is the primary purpose of pericardiocentesis?

• A. Remove pericardial fluid.
• B. Drain pleural fluid.
• C. Stimulate cardiac contraction.
• D. Measure intracardiac pressure.

Answer: (A)

Removing excess fluid from the pericardial sac to relieve pressure on the heart is the main goal of pericardiocentesis. When fluid builds up around the heart, it can compress the chambers and impede filling, causing tamponade and reduced cardiac output. Aspiring the fluid decompresses the pericardium, improves venous return, and helps the heart refill properly. While the procedure can provide diagnostic fluid for analysis, its primary purpose is drainage. Draining pleural fluid is a different procedure aimed at the pleural space, not the pericardial space. The goal is not to stimulate contraction, and measuring intracardiac pressure is typically done with catheter-based methods, not pericardial drainage.