“How do you get rid of fluid around the heart?”

Usually, there is a small amount of fluid. Now, if it is a large amount, the the cause must be identified.

Many options for removing fluid from around the heart and it depends what is the cause in the first place. Sometimes fluid can be spontaneously absorbed by the body, other options are needle drainage procedures called pericardiocentesis. A pericardial window which is surgical in nature and VATS (video-assisted thoracoscopic) procedures.

How you get rid of fluid around the heart depends on what is causing it. It could be as simple as taking anti-inflammatory medications if it is secondary to minor infections. Sometimes, we aspirate the fluid with needle and hope that it does not come back. In more serious situations, an opening is made in the pericardium to facilitate drainage into the pleural cavity where the fluid can be better tolerated. Too much fluid around the heart may compromise function. In more serious situations caused by serious infection like tuberculosis, the entire pericardium may have to be removed. By the way pericardium is the sac that encloses the heart. Its primary function is to protect the heart. Your doctor can show you pictures.
Good luck.

It depends the cause of the fluid as well as the quantity. The diagnosis of fluid around the heart should be made by an ultrasound of the heart called an echocardiogram not by CT scan. If the cause of the fluid is congestive heart failure, treatment of the heart failure will often improve the amount of fluid around the heart. If there is a large amount of fluid and it is thought to be secondary to infection, the fluid will need to be removed. If the cause of the fluid is unknown and there is a large amount of fluid, it will have to be removed as well both for treatment and diagnosis. The fluid can be removed by either draining the fluid with a needle (pericardiocentesis) or by a surgical procedure where a window is cut in the sac around the heart.

The treatment of fluid around the heart depends on the amount of fluid. If there is minimal amount of fluid, diuretics ( water pills) is adequate, however if the amount is moderate or more a procedure called pericardiocentesis which is the removal of the fluid either by a syringe or surgery is indicated.

It depends on how much fluid there is. A small amount may require no treatment. Moderate to large amount may require needle aspiration or pericardial window. Also depends on symptoms.