Menu
Home
People
Places
Arts
History
Plants & Animals
Science
Life & Culture
Technology
Reference.org
Pericardial window
open-in-new
<h2 id="uses">Uses</h2> <p>Pericardial window may be used to treat <a href="/facts/Pericardial_effusion/JHybCM7I">pericardial effusion</a> and <a href="/facts/Cardiac_tamponade/kfzbVAw7">cardiac tamponade</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> It is the most common procedure to treat pericardial effusion, particularly if caused by <a href="/facts/Cancer/PVW6n1D0">cancer</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a> Untreated, these can lead to <a href="/facts/Death/VJmq29qm">death</a>. The pericardial window decreases the incidence of postoperative pericardial tamponade and new-onset <a href="/facts/Atrial_fibrillation/Rzkq1tmN">atrial fibrillation</a> after <a href="/facts/Open-Heart_Surgery/t34fz1hc">open-heart surgery</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="risks">Risks</h2> <p>Creation of a pericardial window is a major <a href="/facts/Surgery/fG8tWf5Y">surgical procedure</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> To remove <a href="/facts/Pericardial_fluid/3BPAAqSy">pericardial fluid</a>, other more minor techniques should be considered first, such as <a href="/facts/Pericardiocentesis/z7Err3zL">pericardiocentesis</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="technique">Technique</h2> <p>Pericardial window is usually performed under <a href="/facts/General_anaesthetic/YNM2tqty">general anaesthetic</a> by a <a href="/facts/Cardiac_surgeon/I3dIcapo">cardiac surgeon</a>. They may make an open <a href="/facts/Surgical_incision/EDM9e5oe">surgical incision</a> of up to 10 <a href="/facts/Centimetre/urPkBdGR">cm</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a> This is usually located below the <a href="/facts/Xiphoid_process/vdESRC8v">xiphoid process</a> of the <a href="/facts/Sternum/qIPMpyIz">sternum</a> (sub-xiphoid).<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a> Alternatively, access may be gained <a href="/facts/Thoracoscopy/0Y2lrGRn">thoracoscopically</a> with a smaller surgical incision.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a> A small hole of between 1 cm and 2 cm is cut in the <a href="/facts/Pericardium/ePd4gkeT">pericardium</a>, which is the membrane that surrounds the <a href="/facts/Heart/fF4KSGdk">heart</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13"><sup>13</sup></a> This allows for any <a href="/facts/Pericardial_fluid/3BPAAqSy">pericardial fluid</a> and other fluid to escape from the pericardium.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14"><sup>14</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="history">History</h2> <p>Pericardial window was first performed by <a href="/facts/Baron/XWpCggvM">Baron</a> <a href="/facts/Dominique_Jean_Larrey/ATto0ewp">Dominique Jean Larrey</a> in <a href="/facts/1829/G469b3pe">1829</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15"><sup>15</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16"><sup>16</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="other-animals">Other animals</h2> <p>Pericardial windows are commonly used in <a href="/facts/Veterinary_medicine/KYNaodgl">veterinary medicine</a> to treat pericardial effusion.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17"><sup>17</sup></a> Whereas a sub-xiphoid skin incision is preferred in humans, a left para-xiphoid skin incision is preferred in <a href="/facts/Cat/82d0y6D5">cats</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18"><sup>18</sup></a> </p> <h2 id="external-links">External links</h2> <ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20120227122303/http://cardiacsurgery.ctsnetbooks.org/cgi/content/full/3/2008/1465#Pericardial_Window">Cardiac Surgery in the Adult: Pericardial disease</a></li></ul> <h2 id="references">References</h2> <ol> <li id="fn:1"><p>Stuart J. Hutchison (2008). Pericardial diseases: clinical diagnostic imaging atlas. Elsevier Health Sciences. pp. 93–. ISBN 978-1-4160-5274-6. Retrieved 10 November 2010. <a href="978-1-4160-5274-6" target="_blank">978-1-4160-5274-6</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:2"><p>Ghavidel, Alireza Alizadeh; Hosseini, Saeid (2018-01-01), Maleki, Majid; Alizadehasl, Azin; Haghjoo, Majid (eds.), "Chapter 37 - Principles of Cardiovascular Surgery", Practical Cardiology, Elsevier, pp. 647–659, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-51149-0.00037-7, ISBN 978-0-323-51149-0, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-0-323-51149-0" target="_blank">978-0-323-51149-0</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:3"><p>Ghavidel, Alireza Alizadeh; Hosseini, Saeid (2018-01-01), Maleki, Majid; Alizadehasl, Azin; Haghjoo, Majid (eds.), "Chapter 37 - Principles of Cardiovascular Surgery", Practical Cardiology, Elsevier, pp. 647–659, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-51149-0.00037-7, ISBN 978-0-323-51149-0, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-0-323-51149-0" target="_blank">978-0-323-51149-0</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:4"><p>Laste, Nancy J (2009-01-01), Silverstein, Deborah C.; Hopper, Kate (eds.), "Chapter 44 - Pericardial Diseases", Small Animal Critical Care Medicine, Saint Louis: W.B. Saunders, pp. 184–188, doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-2591-7.10044-x, ISBN 978-1-4160-2591-7, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-1-4160-2591-7" target="_blank">978-1-4160-2591-7</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:5"><p>Fashoyin-Aje, Lola A.; Brahmer, Julie R. (2020-01-01), Niederhuber, John E.; Armitage, James O.; Kastan, Michael B.; Doroshow, James H. (eds.), "59 - Malignancy-Related Effusions", Abeloff's Clinical Oncology (Sixth Edition), Philadelphia: Elsevier, pp. 863–873.e4, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-47674-4.00059-1, ISBN 978-0-323-47674-4, S2CID 198374790, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-0-323-47674-4" target="_blank">978-0-323-47674-4</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:6"><p>Zhao J (Apr 2014). "Does posterior pericardial window technique prevent pericardial tamponade after cardiac surgery?". J Int Med Res. 42 (2): 416–26. doi:10.1177/0300060513515436. PMID 24553479. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0300060513515436" target="_blank">https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0300060513515436</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:7"><p>Asensio, Juan A.; García-Núñez, Luis Manuel; Petrone, Patrizio; Duran, Dominic; Vara, Alexander D.; Weston, John S.; Gmora, Scott B.; Feinstein, Ara; Robinson, Donald (2008-01-01), Asensio, JIan A.; Trunkey, Donald D. (eds.), "Cardiac Injuries", Current Therapy of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Philadelphia: Mosby, pp. 304–315, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-04418-9.50044-8, ISBN 978-0-323-04418-9, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-0-323-04418-9" target="_blank">978-0-323-04418-9</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:8"><p>Fashoyin-Aje, Lola A.; Brahmer, Julie R. (2020-01-01), Niederhuber, John E.; Armitage, James O.; Kastan, Michael B.; Doroshow, James H. (eds.), "59 - Malignancy-Related Effusions", Abeloff's Clinical Oncology (Sixth Edition), Philadelphia: Elsevier, pp. 863–873.e4, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-47674-4.00059-1, ISBN 978-0-323-47674-4, S2CID 198374790, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-0-323-47674-4" target="_blank">978-0-323-47674-4</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:9"><p>Asensio, Juan A.; García-Núñez, Luis Manuel; Petrone, Patrizio; Duran, Dominic; Vara, Alexander D.; Weston, John S.; Gmora, Scott B.; Feinstein, Ara; Robinson, Donald (2008-01-01), Asensio, JIan A.; Trunkey, Donald D. (eds.), "Cardiac Injuries", Current Therapy of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Philadelphia: Mosby, pp. 304–315, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-04418-9.50044-8, ISBN 978-0-323-04418-9, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-0-323-04418-9" target="_blank">978-0-323-04418-9</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:10"><p>Fashoyin-Aje, Lola A.; Brahmer, Julie R. (2020-01-01), Niederhuber, John E.; Armitage, James O.; Kastan, Michael B.; Doroshow, James H. (eds.), "59 - Malignancy-Related Effusions", Abeloff's Clinical Oncology (Sixth Edition), Philadelphia: Elsevier, pp. 863–873.e4, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-47674-4.00059-1, ISBN 978-0-323-47674-4, S2CID 198374790, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-0-323-47674-4" target="_blank">978-0-323-47674-4</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:11"><p>Laste, Nancy J (2009-01-01), Silverstein, Deborah C.; Hopper, Kate (eds.), "Chapter 44 - Pericardial Diseases", Small Animal Critical Care Medicine, Saint Louis: W.B. Saunders, pp. 184–188, doi:10.1016/b978-1-4160-2591-7.10044-x, ISBN 978-1-4160-2591-7, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-1-4160-2591-7" target="_blank">978-1-4160-2591-7</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:12"><p>Clarke, Dana L.; Culp, William T. N. (2015-01-01), Silverstein, Deborah C.; Hopper, Kate (eds.), "Chapter 136 – Minimally Invasive Procedures", Small Animal Critical Care Medicine (Second Edition), St. Louis: W.B. Saunders, pp. 715–721, doi:10.1016/b978-1-4557-0306-7.00136-7, ISBN 978-1-4557-0306-7, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-1-4557-0306-7" target="_blank">978-1-4557-0306-7</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:13"><p>Asensio, Juan A.; García-Núñez, Luis Manuel; Petrone, Patrizio; Duran, Dominic; Vara, Alexander D.; Weston, John S.; Gmora, Scott B.; Feinstein, Ara; Robinson, Donald (2008-01-01), Asensio, JIan A.; Trunkey, Donald D. (eds.), "Cardiac Injuries", Current Therapy of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Philadelphia: Mosby, pp. 304–315, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-04418-9.50044-8, ISBN 978-0-323-04418-9, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-0-323-04418-9" target="_blank">978-0-323-04418-9</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:14"><p>Asensio, Juan A.; García-Núñez, Luis Manuel; Petrone, Patrizio; Duran, Dominic; Vara, Alexander D.; Weston, John S.; Gmora, Scott B.; Feinstein, Ara; Robinson, Donald (2008-01-01), Asensio, JIan A.; Trunkey, Donald D. (eds.), "Cardiac Injuries", Current Therapy of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Philadelphia: Mosby, pp. 304–315, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-04418-9.50044-8, ISBN 978-0-323-04418-9, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-0-323-04418-9" target="_blank">978-0-323-04418-9</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:15"><p>Asensio, Juan A.; García-Núñez, Luis Manuel; Petrone, Patrizio; Duran, Dominic; Vara, Alexander D.; Weston, John S.; Gmora, Scott B.; Feinstein, Ara; Robinson, Donald (2008-01-01), Asensio, JIan A.; Trunkey, Donald D. (eds.), "Cardiac Injuries", Current Therapy of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care, Philadelphia: Mosby, pp. 304–315, doi:10.1016/b978-0-323-04418-9.50044-8, ISBN 978-0-323-04418-9, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-0-323-04418-9" target="_blank">978-0-323-04418-9</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:16"><p>Larrey, D. J. (1829). "New surgical procedure to open the pericardium in case of fluid in its cavity". Clinical Chir. 2: 303–307. <a href="https://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/10019441544/#cit" target="_blank">https://ci.nii.ac.jp/naid/10019441544/#cit</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:17"><p>Clarke, Dana L.; Culp, William T. N. (2015-01-01), Silverstein, Deborah C.; Hopper, Kate (eds.), "Chapter 136 – Minimally Invasive Procedures", Small Animal Critical Care Medicine (Second Edition), St. Louis: W.B. Saunders, pp. 715–721, doi:10.1016/b978-1-4557-0306-7.00136-7, ISBN 978-1-4557-0306-7, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-1-4557-0306-7" target="_blank">978-1-4557-0306-7</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> <li id="fn:18"><p>van Nimwegen, S. A.; Kirpensteijn, J. (2014-01-01), Langley-Hobbs, Sorrel J.; Demetriou, Jackie L.; Ladlow, Jane F. (eds.), "Chapter 42 – Thoracoscopy", Feline Soft Tissue and General Surgery, W.B. Saunders, pp. 487–493, doi:10.1016/b978-0-7020-4336-9.00042-1, ISBN 978-0-7020-4336-9, retrieved 2020-12-02 <a href="978-0-7020-4336-9" target="_blank">978-0-7020-4336-9</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li> </ol>