Introduction. Pericardial effusion in the setting of hyperthyroidism is rare. We present a patient with Graves' disease who developed a sanguineous pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade. Case Description. A 76-year-old man presenting with fatigue was diagnosed with Graves' disease and treated with methimazole. Two months later, he was hospitalized for uncontrolled atrial fibrillation. Elec...

BACKGROUND Obesity represents an important risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). We tested the hypothesis that pericardial fat, a unique fat deposit in close anatomic proximity to cardiac structures and autonomic fibers, is associated with prevalent AF. METHODS AND RESULTS Participants from the Framingham Heart Study underwent multidetector computed tomography from 2002 to 2005. We estima...

OBJECTIVE Body mass index (BMI) may not accurately or adequately reflect body composition or its role in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Ectopic adipose depots may provide a more refined representation of the role of adiposity in CVD. Thus, the association of pericardial and intra-thoracic fat with coronary artery calcium (CAC) was examined. DESIGN AND METHODS Nearly 600 whit...

A safe, easy, and quick access into the pericardial space may provide a window for diagnostics and therapeutics to the heart. The objective of this study was to provide proof of concept for an engagement and access catheter that allows access to the pericardial space percutaneously. A multilumen catheter was developed to allow navigation and suction fixation to the right atrial appendage/wall i...

BACKGROUND Pericardial effusion cytology is believed by many to be of limited value, yet few studies have evaluated its diagnostic utility. OBJECTIVES To determine the diagnostic utility of cytologic analysis of pericardial effusion in dogs and to determine if consideration of additional data could improve the diagnostic yield. ANIMALS Two hundred and fifty-nine dogs with cytologic analysis...

BACKGROUND Although pericardial effusion with afib is not rare, the combination of purulent pericardial effusion presenting as afib is not a common occurrence particularly in the developing world.The more common symptoms associated with purulent pericardial effusion are fever, dyspenia, and tachycardia. Without prompt recognition followed by antibiotics and surgical drainage, tamponade, and sho...

Background—Obesity represents an important risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF). We tested the hypothesis that pericardial fat, a unique fat deposit in close anatomic proximity to cardiac structures and autonomic fibers, is associated with prevalent AF. Methods and Results—Participants from the Framingham Heart Study underwent multidetector computed tomography from 2002 to 2005. We estimate...

The infrastructure of the pericardial cells of adult female Drosophila melanogaster is illustrated. The data presented suggest that the pericardial cell internalizes by pinocytosis complex and possibly toxic compounds present in suspension in the haemolymph. These compounds are broken down to soluble molecules within lysosome-like vacuoles. The pericardial cells thus behave like the reticulo-en...