Barts and The London Heart Surgery Centre
The pericardium is a membrane which surrounds the heart. Between the membrane and the heart is a thin sac which contains fluid that prevents friction as the heart beats.
Pericardial disease or pericarditis occurs when the membrane (around the heart) becomes inflammed and may result in excess fluid accumulation which can compress the heart. In severe cases, pericarditis can cause the membrane to shrink and constrict the heart itself.
Causes for pericarditis include viral, bacterial and fungal infections, autoimmune disorders, cardiac tumours and trauma (e.g. stab wounds).
Symptoms include pain, weakness and fever.
At Barts and The London Heart Surgery Centre, our surgical procedures for pericardial disease include pericardiectomies (removal of most of the pericardium and creation of pericardial windows) - where our surgeons make a small opening (window) in the membrane to remove excess fluid.