The Zamvar pericardial fold

Abstract

This paper describes a pericardial fold that has not yet been mentioned in the Anatomy or Surgery literature. The "Zamvar" pericardial fold is formed by the parietal pericardium and the overlying fibrous pericardium folding back onto themselves over the left-sided pulmonary veins; it is 1 to 3 mm wide, and runs from the inferior edge of the left inferior pulmonary vein, to the superior edge of the left superior pulmonary vein. A similar fold is not seen on the right side. The presence of this fold allows for the safe placement of the deep pericardial retraction suture used during off-pump coronary artery surgery.