Acute or chronic in?ammation of the PERICARDIUM, the membranous sac that surrounds the HEART. It may occur on its own or as part of PANCARDITIS, when in?ammation also affects the MYOCARDIUM and ENDOCARDIUM (membranous lining of the inside of the heart). Various causes include virus infection, cancer and URAEMIA. (See also HEART, DISEASES OF.)... pericarditis
(pericardectomy) n. surgical removal of the membranous sac surrounding the heart (pericardium). It is used in the treatment of chronic constrictive pericarditis and chronic pericardial effusion (see pericarditis).... pericardiectomy
n. removal of excess fluid from within the sac (pericardium) surrounding the heart by means of needle *aspiration. See pericarditis; hydropericardium.... pericardiocentesis
n. the surgical separation of *adhesions between the heart and surrounding structures within the ribcage (adherent pericardium). The operation has now fallen into disuse.... pericardiolysis
n. an operation in which the membranous sac around the heart is opened and the fluid within drained via a tube. It is sometimes used in the treatment of septic pericarditis.... pericardiostomy
(pericardotomy) n. surgical opening or puncture of the membranous sac (pericardium) around the heart. It is required to gain access to the heart in heart surgery and to remove excess fluid from within the pericardium.... pericardiotomy
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