Postsurgical Pericardial Effusion: Do Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs Make a Difference?

Asymptomatic pericardial effusion is common after cardiac surgery. After the immediate postoperative period, pericardial effusions are considered to be largely caused by inflammation and are frequently treated with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, until now, no trials have examined this practice. To assess whether the NSAID diclofenac effectively reduces postoperative pericardial effusion, investigators conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind study.

Researchers assigned 196 patients (mean age, 63; 80% men) at high risk for cardiac tamponade because of moderate-to-large pericardial effusions ≥7 days after heart surgery to receive diclofenac (50 mg) or placebo twice a day for 14 days. The two groups were well m…