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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffPericardial effusion (per-ih-KAHR-de-ul uh-FU-zhun) is the accumulation of excess fluid around the heart.
The heart is surrounded by a double-layered, sac-like structure called the pericardium. The space between the layers normally contains a very small amount of fluid.
Pericardial effusion is often related to inflammation of the pericardium that's caused by disease or injury, but pericardial effusion can also occur without inflammation. Sometimes, pericardial effusion can be caused by the accumulation of blood after a surgical procedure or injury.
When the volume of fluid exceeds the pericardium's "full" level, pericardial effusion puts pressure on the heart, causing poor heart function. If left untreated, pericardial effusion can cause heart failure or death.
- Khandaker MH, et al. Pericardial disease: Diagnosis and management. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2010;85:572.
- Corey GR. Diagnosis and treatment of pericardial effusion. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2010.
- Martin M, et al. Pericardial disease. In: Libby P, et al. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4106-1..50073-X--cesec24&isbn=978-1-4160-4106-1&sid=1060858465&type=bookPage§ionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4106-1..50073-X--cesec24&uniqId=220541604-3#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4106-1..50073-X--cesec24. Accessed Sept. 29, 2010.
- Cardiopulmonary syndromes (PDQ). National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/pdq/supportivecare/cardiopulmonary/healthprofessional. Accessed Oct. 1, 2010.
- Little WC, et al. Pericardial disease. Circulation. 2006;113:1622.
- Imazio M, et al. Diagnosis and management of pericardial diseases. Nature Reviews: Cardiology. 2009;6:743.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Oct. 1, 2010.
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