Which statement best describes the effect on the heart in malignant pericardial effusion?

Which statement best describes the effect on the heart in malignant pericardial effusion?

• A. It Improves Cardiac Function
• B. It Has No Effect on Cardiac Function
• C. It Impairs Cardiac Function Due to Fluid in the Pericardial Sac
• D. It Causes Increased Contractility

Answer: (C)

Fluid collecting in the pericardial sac from malignancy compresses the heart, especially during diastole when it needs to fill. The increased intrapericardial pressure limits ventricular filling, reducing preload, stroke volume, and overall cardiac output. Contractility isn’t increased; the problem is impaired filling, not stronger squeezing. So the best description is that malignant pericardial effusion impairs cardiac function due to the fluid in the pericardial sac.

Fluid collecting in the pericardial sac from malignancy compresses the heart, especially during diastole when it needs to fill. The increased intrapericardial pressure limits ventricular filling, reducing preload, stroke volume, and overall cardiac output. Contractility isn’t increased; the problem is impaired filling, not stronger squeezing. So the best description is that malignant pericardial effusion impairs cardiac function due to the fluid in the pericardial sac.