Mediastinal chest drain clearance for cardiac surgery.

Cardiac tamponade may occur following cardiac surgery as a result of blood or fluid collecting in the pericardial space compressing the heart and reducing cardiac output. Mediastinal chest drains (including pericardial drains) are inserted as standard post-operative practice following cardiac surgery to assist the clearance of blood from the pericardial space and to prevent cardiac tamponade. To prevent chest tubes from blocking and so causing tamponade nurses manipulate them to prevent or remove clots. Manipulation methods including milking, stripping, fanfolding and tapping may be applied to the tubes to keep them from blocking. Evidence is required as to the safest and most effective means of preventing chest tube blockage and preventing cardiac tamponade.