title: Postsurgical intrapericardial adhesions: mechanisms of formation and prevention.
abstract: Postsurgical intrapericardial adhesions are still considered an unavoidable consequence of cardiothoracic operations. They increase the technical difficulty and the risk of reoperations. The pathogenesis of postsurgical adhesions is a multistep process, and the main key players are (1) loss of mesothelial cells, (2) accumulation of fibrin in areas devoid of mesothelial cells, (3) loss of normal pericardial fibrinolysis, and (4) local inflammation. Today, very promising methods to reduce adhesions are available for clinical use. This report reviews the process of formation of adhesions and the methods to prevent them, classified according to the mechanism of action.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, Niguarda Ca' Granda Hospital, Milan, Italy. aldo.cannata@ospedaleniguarda.it
authors.forename: Aldo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cannata
authors.forename: Duccio
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petrella
authors.forename: Claudio Francesco
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bruschi
authors.forename: Pasquale
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fratto
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gambacorta
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Martinelli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7 / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007249:Inflammation / Q000517:prevention & control; D010496:Pericardium / Q000473:pathology*; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology*; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D051523:Fibroblast Growth Factor 7; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid