Final answer:
Needle pericardiocentesis is a medical emergency procedure for removing excess fluid from the pericardium, typically guided by ultrasonography. Ultrasonography aids in the real-time visualization required during the procedure due to its non-invasive nature and it is heavily used in sensitive situations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Pericardiocentesis is a procedure used to remove excess fluid from the sac surrounding the heart, known as the pericardium. This method is a temporary solution to relieve pressure on the heart and is often guided by ultrasonography, which is the least invasive of all imaging techniques. It provides real-time images using high-frequency sound waves that help guide the needle to prevent complications.
Such medical interventions, as well as other invasive pressure measurements in intensive care or during surgery, require skilled health care workers to insert catheters into the body to monitor pressures. In comparison, non-invasive procedures like measuring blood pressure use a cuff to restrict blood flow and stethoscope to listen for Korotkoff sounds, which are much less risky and can be done in standard clinical settings.