Acute Pericarditis/Pericardial Effusion

The pericardium is a double-layered wrapping around the heart, with the outer and inner layers called parietal and visceral pericardium, respectively. The cavity between these two layers usually contains a small amount (15–50 mL) of an ultrafiltrate of plasma, which serves to lubricate the surfaces. Clinically relevant disorders of pericardium are: acute inflammation (acute pericarditis), pericardial effusion with or without hemodynamic compromise (tamponade), constrictive pericarditis, congenital absence of the pericardium, and pericardial cysts.