Pericarditis
Inflammation of the outer membrane surrounding the heart. When pericarditis occurs, the amount of fluid between the two layers of the pericardium increases. This increased fluid presses on the heart and restricts its pumping action.
Cardiac
Pericardiostomy
An operation in which the membranous sac around the heart is opened and the fluid within drained via a tube. It is sometimes used in the treatment of septic pericarditis
Pericardiorrhaphy
The repair of wounds in themembrane surrounding the heart, such as due to injury or surgery.