| Laboratory: | Clinical Biochemistry | ||||||||||||
| Test Name: |
PERICARDIAL FLUID (Biochemistry Specimen ID: PC) - PC
Test Code:
See Reference Values section below
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| Clinical Information: |
Alternate Name(s): Pericardial effusion
Description: The pericardial space (i.e. the fluid-filled sac that surrounds the heart) normally contains 15 – 50 mL of plasma ultrafiltrate, which originates from the pericardium. Abnormal accumulation of pericardial fluid is usually caused by injury or pericarditis.
Pericardial fluid draining is indicated as treatment for hemodynamic compromise (cardiac tamponade), suspected infectious etiology, malignancy, or uncertain etiology. Determining the etiology of pericardial effusions is done by observing the fluid’s appearance, testing for certain biochemical properties, and concomitant cytological analysis.
IMPORTANT: Light’s Criteria and serum-fluid albumin gradient do not apply to pericardial fluid
Test Approval Requirements: Any test not listed on this page must be requested as a MISCELLANEOUS fluid test and requires approval by a Clinical Biochemist prior to reporting. Ordering providers should contact the Biochemist on duty through HSC paging prior to ordering any miscellaneous tests.
It is strongly recommended to collect a corresponding serum sample to compare to miscellaneous fluid results. For more information see: |
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| Collection Devices: |
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| Specimen Required: |
Pericardial Fluid: 2.0 mL
Pediatric Pericardial Fluid: 2.0 mL
Collection Information: Submit to the laboratory in a sterile collection container without anticoagulant.
Serum specimens should be submitted with pericardial fluids for the following tests to ensure proper interpretation:
CEA levels should always be interpreted alongside cytological examination, as elevations may also be seen in tuberculous and infectious effusions. |
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| Referral: |
Adult Volume: 2.0 mL
Pediatric Volume: 2.0 mL Shipping & Storage: Ship refrigerated if testing cannot occur within 2 hours of collection. Testing Laboratory (MB): Health Sciences Centre, St Boniface Hospital, and Westman lab. |
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| Requisition: | |||||||||||||
| Reference Values: |
Reference Intervals: Light’s Criteria and serum-fluid albumin gradient do not apply to pericardial fluid.
Method of Analysis: Roche cobas Pro c503 |
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| Availability: |
Daily
Daily at Health Sciences Centre, St. Boniface Hospital and Westman Lab. Other locations dependent on lab shipments to reference labs.
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| See Also: | |||||||||||||
| More Information: |
Interpretation & Assay Interferences: For interpretation information, please see: Fluids Interpretive Guide
References: 1. Ben-Horin S, Shinfeld A, Kachel E, et al. 2005. The composition of normal pericardial fluid and its implications for diagnosing pericardial effusions. Am J Med. 118: 636-40. 2. Cotten SW, Block DR. 2023. A Review of Current Practices and Future Trends in Body Fluid Testing. J Appl Lab Med. 8(5): 962-983. 3. Block DR, FLorkowski CM. “Body Fluids”, In: Rifai N, Chiu RWK, Young I, Burnham C-AD, Wittwer CT. Editors. Tietz Textbook of Laboratory Medicine. 7th Ed. Philadelphia (PA): Elsevier; 2022. pp 456.e36. 4. Buoro S, Tombetti E, Ceriotti F. 2021. What is the normal composition of pericardial fluid? Heart. 107: 1584-1590. |