In medicine, pericardiocentesis is a procedure where fluid is aspirated from the pericardium (the sac enveloping the heart). ==Position== The patient undergoing pericardiocentesis is positioned supine with the head of the bed raised to a 30- to 60-degree angle. This places the heart in proximity to the chest wall for easier insertion of the needle...
Synonym: pericardicentesis. ... Origin: peri-+ G. Kardia, heart, + kentesis, puncture ... (05 Mar 2000) ... 
(per″e-kahr″de-o-sen-te´sis) surgical puncture into the pericardial space and aspiration of fluid for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. Therapeutically, the procedure is used as an emergency measure to relieve life-threatening cardiac tamponade. Other clinical situations in which it may be done inclu...
Type: Term Pronunciation: per-i-kar′dē-ō-sen-tē′sis Definitions: 1. Needle or catheter drainage of the pericardium. Synonyms: pericardial tap, pericardicentesis
pericardicentesis, pericardiocentesis The procedure of removing fluid from the pericardium by puncturing its wall and aspiration.
a diagnostic procedure that uses a needle to draw fluid from the pericardium.
A diagnostic procedure that uses a needle to withdraw fluid from the sac or membrane surrounding the heart (pericardium).