[PAT 20A/B] - Final Exam Guide - Ultimate 54 pages long Study Guide!

• School: Ryerson University
• Department: Pathotherapeutics
• Course: PAT 20A/B
• Professor: Charlotte Lee

Document Summary

Pericardium separates the heart from other structures, maintains its position, prevents it from overfilling, barrier to infection. Serous fluid from pericardium prevents friction between the 2 layers (parietal and visceral) Inflammation of the pericardium interferes with friction reducing properties of pericardial fluid thus causing pain. Disorders that increase fluid volume of pericardial sac interferes with the heart filling and leads to a reduction in cardiac output. Pericardial disorders are mostly associated/result from another disease in the heart/other structures. Pericardium/pericardial sac: double layered serous membrane, inner layer visceral, outer layer parietal, separate by 50ml of serous fluid. Inflammation of less than 2 weeks, isolated disease or result of systemic disease. Viral infections (esp coxsackiviruses & echoviruses) most common cause. Other causes: bacterial, mycobacterial infections, connective tissue disease, uremia, post cardiac surgery, , radiation, trauma, drug toxicity, etc. Associated with increased capillary permeability-> allows plasma proteins-> produces exudate (usually contains fibrin)-> scar tissue and formation of adhesions between the layers.