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The pleural and pericardial cavities are exaggerated since normally there is no space between parietal and visceral pleura and between pericardium and heart. Pericardial fluid is the serous fluid secreted by the serous layer of the pericardium into the pericardial cavity. The pericardium consists of two layers, an outer fibrous layer and the ...
This pericardial space contains a small amount of pericardial fluid, normally 15-50 mL in volume. [2] The pericardium, specifically the pericardial fluid provides lubrication, maintains the anatomic position of the heart in the chest ( levocardia ), and also serves as a barrier to protect the heart from infection and inflammation in adjacent ...
[3] [4] Cardiac tamponade is a medical emergency in which excessive accumulation of fluid within the pericardium (pericardial effusion) creates increased pressure. [5] This prevents the heart from filling normally with blood. This can critically decrease the amount of blood that is pumped from the heart, causing obstructive shock, which can be ...
Fluid can be removed from the pericardial space for diagnosis or to relieve tamponade using a syringe in a procedure called pericardiocentesis. [11] For cases of recurrent pericardial effusion, an operation to create a hole between the pericardial and pleural spaces can be performed, known as a pericardial window or pericardiostomy.
Pericardial effusion – The serous pericardium normally contains fluid that reduces friction, but an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the pericardium is called a pericardial effusion. The list of causes is lengthy but includes pericarditis, rheumatic diseases (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus), trauma, and blood from myocardial rupture.
On a chest X-ray, the normal heart silhouette should have a clear and defined outline. However, in cases of pericardial effusion, the accumulation of fluid within the pericardial sac causes the heart to appear enlarged and assumes a shape that is reminiscent of a water bottle, with relatively smooth cardiac contours. [2]
The majority of fluid output occurs via the urine, approximately 1500 ml/day (approx 1.59 qt/day) in the normal adult resting state. [12] [13] Some fluid is lost through perspiration (part of the body's temperature control mechanism) and as water vapor in exhaled air. These are termed "insensible fluid losses" as they cannot be easily measured.
Though it only contains a small amount of fluid normally, it can sometimes accumulate fluid or air that widens the space. [2] The pericardial space is another potential space that may fill with fluid (effusion) in certain disease states (e.g. pericarditis; a large pericardial effusion may result in cardiac tamponade).