title: Thoracoscopic resection of pericardium for symptomatic congenital pericardial defect.
abstract: Congenital defects of the pericardium are rare. Surgical treatment is recommended to relieve symptoms and to prevent cardiac herniation and strangulation. The case of a symptomatic pericardial defect due to a dynamic obstruction of the coronary arteries is described. The diagnosis was suggested by plain chest film, echocardiography, and cardiac catheterization. Confirmation and successful surgical management were accomplished by video-assisted thoracoscopic pericardiectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Ochsner Clinic, New Orleans, LA 70121.
authors.forename: W H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Risher
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Rees
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Ochsner
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: McFadden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010496:Pericardium / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D013906:Thoracoscopy / Q000379:methods*