Which statement is true about malignant pericardial effusion?

Which statement is true about malignant pericardial effusion?

• A. It Is Caused by Infection of the Pericardium
• B. It Is a Cancer of the Heart Muscle
• C. It Is Fluid in the Pleural Space
• D. Fluid Accumulation in the Pericardial Sac Impairing Cardiac Function

Answer: (D)

The key idea is that malignant pericardial effusion means fluid collects in the pericardial sac due to cancer, and that fluid buildup can press on the heart and reduce its ability to fill properly during diastole. This impaired filling lowers cardiac output and can lead to symptoms of hemodynamic compromise. The statement that best captures this is the one describing fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac that impairs cardiac function. The other options describe different conditions: infection of the pericardium would be pericarditis, not necessarily an effusion causing tamponade; a cancer of the heart muscle would be a primary cardiac tumor, not an effusion; and fluid in the pleural space is a pleural effusion, which occurs around the lungs, not around the heart.

The key idea is that malignant pericardial effusion means fluid collects in the pericardial sac due to cancer, and that fluid buildup can press on the heart and reduce its ability to fill properly during diastole. This impaired filling lowers cardiac output and can lead to symptoms of hemodynamic compromise. The statement that best captures this is the one describing fluid accumulation in the pericardial sac that impairs cardiac function.

The other options describe different conditions: infection of the pericardium would be pericarditis, not necessarily an effusion causing tamponade; a cancer of the heart muscle would be a primary cardiac tumor, not an effusion; and fluid in the pleural space is a pleural effusion, which occurs around the lungs, not around the heart.