Pericardial disease

Abstract

The pericardium is a complex, mesothelium-lined serous sac surrounding the heart and clasped externally by a fibrous sac so that the layer on the heart (visceral pericardium) is mesothelium, while the external portion (parietal pericardium) is composed of mesothelium internally and fibrosa externally. Normally, 15 to 35 mL of serous fluid surrounds the heart. The normal microphysiology of the visceral and parietal pericardia is complex and is discussed in detail elsewhere (1). The pericardium is involved in every known kind of disease, and abnormal fluid accumulation in it frequently seriously compromises cardiac function (tamponade) and raises important questions in differential diagnosis and treatment. © 2006 Humana Press Inc.