Where is pericardial fluid

That was attributed to the complicated structure of the lymphatic capillary bed Eliskova et al. In vivo studies in sheep support the notion that the fluid drainage through the lympatics increases proportionally to the volume or pressure increase, as much as four times. This property has been related to the effect of external factors on the lymphatics function as well as to the functional alterations due to the neurohormonal stimulation.

These characteristics are extremely important under conditions of fluid accumulation like cardiac tamponade Miserocchi, ; Yuan et al. The common mesodermal origin and the simplicity of its isolation established the parietal pericardium as a surrogate tissue for pleural mesothelial tissue studies in small animals Ishihara et al.

In both cases the main morphological and functional barrier proved to be the mesothelium. However, by that time active ion trasport through the parietal pericardium was thought to be minimal Zocchi et al. However, a later study that examined this aspect showed that the electrical resistance of the rabbit parietal pericardium is measurable and attributed to the mesothelial barrier since it had greater resistance This established the mesothelium as the main barrier for molecular transfer.

In this study it was also shown that the diffusion constant of the rabbit parietal pericardium for albumin 0. This finding contradicted the previous data regarding rabbit pericardium, pleura and omentum where the reference values were higher and directly proportional to albumin concentration Parameswaran et al. This discrepancy was attributed to the experimental conditions and the tissue differences. The pericardium contains a larger proportion of collagen fibers compared to the elastic ones and a higher concentration of hyaluronic acid that render it more stiff as well as less permeable than the other serosal membranes Tang and Lai-Fook, Moreover, the characteristics above are related to the higher values of hydraulic and electrical resistance of the pericardium and mainly the mesothelial layer Bodega et al.

There are in vitro data that the hydraulic permeability of the parietal pericardium is independent of the hydrostatic pressure over the range from 6 to 15 cmH 2 O and directly proportional to the membrane thickness, among the species Fingerote et al. Variance among species seems to be the case also in terms of transmesothelial electrical resistance, an index of ion transport. As mentioned above rabbit parietal pericardium had values in the range of Moreover, in the last study the effects of morphine on the pericardium were assessed and it was shown that the electrical resistance of the pericardium is increased by the application of morphine.

The same results were found in the pleura and the peritoneum indicating a common opoidergic influence of the ionic transport capacity of the three serosal membranes Vogiatzidis et al.

The study of pericardial space physiology is an area with many things to be discovered. The mechanism of pericardial fluid production is straightforward in physiological conditions, however it needs to be identified what is the exact role of the mesothelial cells both in the recycling of the pericardial fluid as well as with respect to the paracrine function that they possess. Another important challenge would be to dissect the exact contribution and magnitude of each mechanism regulating the recycling of the pericardial fluid.

Finally, few things are known about the interplay of mesothelial cells and pericardial fluid. These areas will increase our understanding of the physiology of the pericardial space once explored as well as they will provide us with new insights regarding drug development in the context of pericardial effusions.

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest. Ardell, J. Selective vagal innervation of sinoatrial and atrioventricular nodes in canine heart. Benhaiem-Sigaux, N. Characterization of human pericardial macrophages.

Ben-Horin, S. The composition of normal pericardial fluid and its implications for diagnosing pericardial effusions. Bodega, F. Macromolecule transfer through mesothelium and connective tissue. Albumin transcytosis in mesothelium. Lung Cell. Electrical resistance and ion diffusion through mesothelium. Boulanger, B. Pericardial fluid absorption into lymphatic vessels in sheep. Burgess, L. Role of biochemical tests in the diagnosis of large pericardial effusions. Chest , — Chinchoy, E.

Handbook of Cardiac Anatomy, Physiology and Devices. Chiou, C. Efferent vagal innervation of the canine atria and sinus and atrioventricular nodes.

The third fat pad. Circulation 95, — Cinca, J. Cardiovascular reflex responces induced by epicardial chemoreceptor stimulation. D'Avila, A. Pericardial anatomy for the interventional electrophysiologists.

DeVries, G. A novel technique for measurement of pericardial pressure. Heart Circ. Eliskova, M. The lymphatic drainage of the parietal pericardium in man. Lymphology 28, — Fingerote, R. Hydraulic permeability of canine and human pericardium in vitro.

Basic Res. Frick, H. Human Anatomy, Greek edn. Athens: Parisianos Publication. Fukuo, Y. The mouse pericardium: it allows passage of particulate matter from the pleural to the pericardial cavity. Gibbons Kroeker, C. Pericardium modulates left and right ventricular stroke volumes to compensate for sudden changes in atrial volume.

Gibson, A. A study of the composition of pericardial fluid, with special reference to the probable mechanism of fluid formation. A study of the routes by which protein passes from the pericardial cavity to the blood in rabbits. Goto, Y. Nonuniform regional deformation of the pericardium during the cardiac cycle in dogs. Hamilton, D.

Atrioventricular nonuniformity of pericardial constraint. Hollenberg, M. Lymph flow andI-albumin resorption from pericardial effusions in man. Holt, J. The normal pericardium. Ishihara, T. Histologic and ultrastructure features of normal human parietal pericardium. The visceral pericardium: macromolecular structure and contribution to passive mechanical properties of the left ventricle. Kenner, H. Intrapericardial, intrapleural, and intracardiac pressures during acute heart failure in dogs studied without thoracotomy.

Lee, J. Tissue mechanics of canine pericardium in differenttest environments. Evidence for time-dependent accommodation, absence of plasticity, and new roles for collagen and elastin. Mechanical properties of human pericardium. Differences in viscoelastic response when compared with canine pericardium. Lorenz, C. Delineation of normal human left ventricular twist throughout systole by tagged cine magnetic resonance imaging.

Maruyama, Y. Mechanical interactions between four heart chambers with and without the pericardium in canine hearts. Mauer, F. The composition of mammalian pericardial and peritoneal fluids. Meyers, D. The usefulness of diagnostic tests on pericardial fluid. Michailova, K. Seposal membranes Pleura, Pericardium, Peritoneum : normal sructure, development and experimental pathology. Cell Biol. PubMed Abstract Full Text. Miller, A. The lymphatic drainage of the pericardial space in the dog. Lymphology 21, — Miserocchi, G.

Effect of diaphragmatic contraction or relaxation on size and shape of lymphatic stomata on the peritoneal surface in anesthetized rabbits. Mohrman, D. Cardiovascular Physiology 6th edn. Mutsaers, S. Mesothelial cells: their structure, function and role in serosal repair.

Respirology 7, — Nakatani, T. Pericardium of rodents: pores connect the pericardial and pleural cavities. Parameswaran, S. Hydraulic conductivity, albumin reflection and diffusion coefficients of pig mediastinal pleura. Effect of concentration and hyaluronidase on albumin diffusion across rabbit mesentery. Microcirculation 6, — Przyklenk, K. Effect of myocyte necrosis on strength, strain, and stiffness of isolated myocardial strips.

Heart J. Quick, C. Intrinsic pump-conduit behavior of lymphangions. Randall, W. However, too much fluid causes the pericardium to put pressure on the heart, which prevents the chambers from filling completely. This condition, called tamponade tam-pon-AYD , results in poor blood flow and a lack of oxygen to the body.

Tamponade is life-threatening and requires emergency care. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Pericardial effusion per-e-KAHR-dee-ul uh-FU-zhun is the buildup of excess fluid in the sac-like structure around the heart pericardium.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Hoit BD. Etiology of pericardial disease. Accessed Feb. Hoit BD. Diagnosis and treatment of pericardial effusion. Lekhakul A, et al.

Incidence and management of hemopericardium: Impact of changing trends in invasive cardiology. Mayo Clinic Proceedings.