Objective: To determine the frequency and causes of pericardial effusion in patients presenting to emergency department with dyspnea.

Study Design: Prospective/Observational study

Place & Duration:Cardiac Centre, Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS),Islamabad for duration of one year from January 2019 to Dec 2019.

Methods: A total 220 patients of both genders with ages above 20 years presented with dyspnea were enrolled in this study. Patients detailed medical history was recorded after taking informed consent. All patients had received echocardiography to examine the incidence of pericardial effusion. Causes of pericardial effusion were recorded. Data was analyzed by SPSS 24.0.

Results: Out of 220 patients 38 (17.27%) patients had pericardial effusion. Among these 26 (68.42%) were males while rest 31.58% patients were females. 5 (13.16%) patients had ages <40 years while 33 (86.84%) patients had ages >40 years. 20 (52.63%) patients had small size effusion, 15 (39.47%) patients had moderate size and 3 (7.89%) patients had large size effusion. Neoplastic diseases were the commonest cause of pericardial effusion found in 15 (39.47%) patients followed by idiopathic in 10 (26.32%), uremia in 6 (15.79%) patients, 3 (7.89%) patients had bacterial infections, 3 (7.89%) had HIV positive and 1 (2.63%) patient had other.

Conclusion: It is concluded that incidence of pericardial effusion is high in patients with unexplained dyspnea. Neoplastic was the commonest cause of pericardial effusion.

Keywords: Pericardial Effusion, Frequency, Causes, Dyspnea. Electrocardiogram