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Surgical Management of Pericardial Diseases
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH.
Insights
Surgical management of pericardial diseases, including pericardiectomy for constriction and inflammatory pericarditis, is evolving. Refined techniques and planning have significantly improved outcomes in experienced centers.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Thoracic Surgery
Background:
- Pericardial disease is a rare cause for cardiac surgery, lacking established guidelines.
- Surgical approaches are based on institutional experience and limited studies.
- Management of pericardial constriction varies due to perceived high risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current surgical practices for pericardial disease.
- To highlight the evolution of pericardiectomy indications.
- To discuss new applications for inflammatory/relapsing pericarditis.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature and surgical practices.
- Analysis of historical trends in pericardiectomy.
- Examination of advancements in surgical techniques and planning.
Main Results:
- Surgical management of pericardial disease has progressed significantly.
- Indications for pericardiectomy have evolved.
- Improved outcomes are noted in experienced centers due to refined techniques.
Conclusions:
- Surgical treatment for pericardial disease is advancing.
- Refined surgical techniques and planning enhance patient outcomes.
- Further research and guideline development are warranted.
Abstract:
Disease of the pericardium represents a relatively rare indication for cardiac surgery, and there exist no widely accepted guidelines for surgical management. As such, the surgical approach to the pericardium has relied largely on institutional experience with a slow evolution based on published studies. In particular, management of pericardial constriction has varied widely from surgeon to surgeon and institution to institution, in large part due to a perception of inherent high risk to the procedure. This review covers the current practice of surgery for disease of the pericardium, with particular focus on the evolution of indications for pericardiectomy, new applications in inflammatory or relapsing pericarditis, and the progressive refinement in surgical technique and operative planning which have led to significantly improved outcomes in experienced centers.
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