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The Pericardium

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Handbook of Cardiac Anatomy, Physiology, and Devices

Abstract

The pericardium is a unique structure that surrounds the heart and serves several important physiological roles; the removal of the pericardium, certain pericardial disorders, or the build-up of fluids within this space will ultimately alter hemodynamic performance. Recent therapeutic approaches have been directed to exploit the space that exists between the pericardium and the epicardial surface of the heart. New devices and techniques are being developed to access this space in a minimally invasive fashion. The pharmacokinetics of many drugs may be greatly enhanced if the drug is delivered into the pericardium. As more is learned about the pericardium, it may play a more significant role in cardiac therapies.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Surgery, University of Minnesota, B172 Mayo, MMC 195, 420 Delaware St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA

    Eric S. Richardson, Alexander J. Hill, Nicholas D. Skadsberg, Michael Ujhelyi, Yong-Fu Xiao & Paul A. Iaizzo

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  1. Eric S. Richardson
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  2. Alexander J. Hill
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  3. Nicholas D. Skadsberg
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  4. Michael Ujhelyi
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  5. Yong-Fu Xiao
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  6. Paul A. Iaizzo
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Correspondence to Eric S. Richardson .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. Surgery, University of Minnesota, Delaware St. SE., 420, Minneapolis, 55455, U.S.A.

    Paul A. Iaizzo

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Richardson, E.S., Hill, A.J., Skadsberg, N.D., Ujhelyi, M., Xiao, YF., Iaizzo, P.A. (2009). The Pericardium. In: Iaizzo, P. (eds) Handbook of Cardiac Anatomy, Physiology, and Devices. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-372-5_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-60327-372-5_8

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