Q: How severity of pericardial effusion can be roughly quantified on the basis of Echocardiography?


Answer:

• Small effusions - up to 100 ml - echo-free space  less than 10 mm in thickness at its greatest width
• Moderate effusions - up to 500 ml - echo-free space up to 20 mm at its greatest width. 
• Large effusions - more than 500 m -  the echo-free space is greater than 20 mm at its greatest width. 

All echo data should be read in close conjunction with clinical exams and hemodynamic data.