The term 'pericardiocentesis' refers to which of the following?

• A. A surgical opening made in the heart.
• B. Surgical repair of the sac around the heart.
• C. The removal of fluid from around the heart.
• D. Narrowing of the arteries supplying the heart.

Answer: (C)

Pericardiocentesis is the procedure for draining excess fluid from the pericardial cavity, the sack around the heart. When fluid accumulates there, it can put pressure on the heart and prevent it from filling properly, a situation called pericardial effusion or tamponade. Draining the fluid with a needle or small catheter relieves that pressure and improves heart function.

This isn’t about opening the heart itself or repairing the surrounding sac—those are different surgeries. It also isn’t about narrowing the heart’s arteries, which would involve something like an angioplasty. The key idea is removing fluid from the fluid-filled space around the heart to restore normal cardiac filling.