Question 1

just discovered my husband has a tear in the pericardium and that his right atrium poked thru the sac. this was discovered during an open lung biopsy ?

Accepted Answer

Uncommon: Hi Anne195,
Sorry to hear the alarming news. I hope you are coping ok. Pericardial tears are somewhat unusual to find incidentally because the pericardium is a very very strong tissue. Typically we see them as a result of blunt trauma to the chest or abdomen and they are commonly associated with herniation as you described. This requires management by a specialist. Hope this helps.

Question 2

what happens if the pericardium is removed?

Accepted Answer

Not much: It is unlikely that anything significant will happen.  Frequently, the pericardium is left open after "open heart" surgery.  The pericardium is also resected when a person develops constrictive pericarditis and the person usually does fine afterwards.

Question 3

what is involved in a pericardium removal? what happens after?

Accepted Answer

Depends; why removed: The pericardium is the lining sac that surrounds the heart.  If the lining itself is diseased or the sac is filled with fluids with the net result being compromised cardiac function, then removing the pericardium or simply creating a "window", or a drainage outlet that allows fluid to be absorbed by the lung's pleural space, is needed.  It then relieves the underlying problem, improving function.

Question 4

what is a partial pericardium?

Accepted Answer

Pericardium: Congenital absence or partial pericardium is found throughout the world. In most cases, it has no clinical significance, but can show up incidentally as shifted heart on ct scans and xrays. In some folks there could be clinical significance if they need to undergo surgery. There are also some theories that the pericardium aids in the contraction or elastic recoil of the heart.

Question 5

does the pericardium grow back?

Accepted Answer

Pericardium: If removed usually doesn't grow back.

Question 6

what is an inferior pericardium?

Accepted Answer

I u mean inflamed?: I think you mean inflamed . This is called pericarditis. This is usually caused by infections or after a heart attack. Autoimmune diseases and gout can also cause this.

Question 7

what is a thickened pericardium?

Accepted Answer

Pericardium: The pericardium is a very thin membrane that surrounds the heart. When the pericardium becomes inflamed from various causes, it can become thickened and can even calcify and severely impair heart function.

Question 8

what's the role of the pericardium?

Accepted Answer

Little role: The pericardium is a lining around the heart muscle. Its function is of little value, but it is thought to be a barrier against foreign bodies or proteins that might harm the heart muscle. Its only  significance is when the pericardium is inflammed, as in pericarditis, or when fluid builds up around the heart and collects between the heart and pericardium and can cause heart failure.

Question 9

what does the pericardium have in it?

Accepted Answer

Fluid: The pericardium is the space between the surface of the heart and the pericardial lining. Inside this space is usually a small amount of fluid, the pericardial fluid. Since the heart is constantly moving with each beat, the sac protects the heart and the fluid functions like oil on a piston to allow smooth, effortless movement.

Question 10

what is the fluid in the interior of the pericardium?

Accepted Answer

It's called: pericardial fluid. It is a lymphatic fluid that is a transudate, basically a watered down version of plasma.

Usually, there is only a small amount of fluid in the pericardial sac, about 50 cc.

Hope this helps.

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Doctor answers about:

What happens if the pericardium tears

A member asked:

Just discovered my husband has a tear in the pericardium and that his right atrium poked thru the sac. this was discovered during an open lung biopsy ?

A member asked:

What happens if the pericardium is removed?

A member asked:

What is involved in a pericardium removal? what happens after?

A member asked:

What is a partial pericardium?

A member asked:

Does the pericardium grow back?

A member asked:

What is an inferior pericardium?

A member asked:

What is a thickened pericardium?

A member asked:

What's the role of the pericardium?

A member asked:

What does the pericardium have in it?

A member asked:

What is the fluid in the interior of the pericardium?

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