Module 17 : Pericardial Disease Flashcards
what are the anatomical layers of the pericardium from inner to outer
- visceral layer (epicardium)
- fluid
- partial layer
- fibrous layer
where does the pericardium insert posteriorly
- IVC and superiors to the pulmonary veins
where does the pericardium insert superiorly
- great vessels
where is the normal amount of serous fluid
20-50 ml
what are 4 functions of the pericardium
- limits over distension of the heart
- helps distribute diastolic pressure
- reduces friction
- infection barrier
what is the epicardial fat
- layer of fat anterior to the heart
- usually along the AV groove & inter ventricular & coronary after tracts
what is the purpose of the epicardial fat
- protects from blunt force trauma
what is/causes a pericardial effusion
- increased amount of fluid within pericardial space
- irritation/injury to pericardium
what is pericardial tamponade
- marked or fast increase in intrapericardial pressure above intracardiac pressures
- compresses the heart and impairs its ability to fill
what is pericarditis and what does it do
- inflammation of the pericardial surfaces
- restricts diastolic function
what two things cause pericardial effusion
- injury to/inflammation of pericardium
- when irritated visceral pericardium secretes fluid
what is a consequence of pericardial effusion and what are the consequences dependant on
- large effusions that accumulate fast reduces SV by restricted filling
- effects depend on the amount of fluid and rate of accumulation
what are the 3 descriptors of pericardial effusion
- location
- amount
- hemodynamic comprise
what is common about most locations of pericardial effusions
- tends to be dependant (posterior at first)
- will then extend anterior to aorta
what are the 3 different ways to describe amount of pericardial
- small
- moderate
- large
what are 2 different ways to describe locations pericardial effusions
- circumferential
- loculated
what are 6 different aetiologies of pericardial effusions
- infectious
- inflammation
- anasarca
- malignant
- trauma
- iatrogenic
what are the signs and symptoms
- chest pain
- SOB
- increased JVP
- pericardial rub
- quiet heart sounds
- sand paper
what will the ECG look like with pericardial effusions
- low voltage ECG
- electrical alterans
what are the intrapericardial and intracardial pressures in normal heart
- low intrapericardial
- high intracardiac
what are the intrapericardial and intracardial pressure in effusion and what does it cause
- high intrapericardial
- high intracardiac
- diastolic collapse of right heart
what happens with PP > RAP
- MAP and CO fall
what happens with PP > RVP
- MAP and CO fall even more
what is the 2D role of echo with effusions
- location
- potential collapse of chambers
- differentiation of pleural effusion
- size
- clear space or echoes within
- pericardial thickness
what are the doppler roles of echo with pericardial effusions
- diastolic function assessment
- changes in LV and RV filling with respiration
what is the characteristics of physiological pericardial effusion
- 2-5mm space in systole
- 20-50 ml of fluid
what is the characteristics of mild pericardial effusion
- < 0.5-1 cm space in systole and diastole
- 50-100 ml