Interventional Pericardiology

The space that exists between the visceral and parietal pericardium has a small amount of fluid under physiologic conditions. The pericardial layers and this fluid in combination have a protective role and also offer fluidity of motion and shock absorbance. The pericardium and the fluid can often be involved in pathologies involving the myocardium or sometimes be independently involved in primary diseases of the pericardium with secondary hemodynamic effects. In physiologic and pathologic conditions, invasion of this space by surgical and percutaneous interventions can provide a unique and precious opportunity to enhance patient management in such situations from a diagnostic and therapeutic aspect. This field of "interventional pericardiology" is the focus of this chapter.