Pericardial Disease

Pericardial Disease

Pericardial Disease: Patient Volume

2016 – 2021

Pericardial disease includes a group of conditions that affect the pericardium — the double-layered sac that surrounds the heart. Cleveland Clinic's Center for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Pericardial Disease serves patients with a variety of pericardial syndromes. Cleveland Clinic physicians manage the care of a large volume of patients with pericardial disease. In 2021, a total of 3674 patients, including 530 new patients, were seen in the center.

The multispecialty approach used at Cleveland Clinic involves cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, imaging specialists, and rheumatologists. This method of care provides each patient a plan of care that involves enhanced collaboration.

Pericardial Outpatient Clinic: Volume of New Consult Patients, by Diagnosis

2021, N = 572

Cleveland Clinic treats patients with all types of pericardial disease. In 2021, a total of 272 (51%) new patients seen in the pericardial outpatient clinic had acute, chronic, or constrictive pericarditis.

Pericarditis: Etiology

2021, N = 530

There are various causes of pericarditis. The condition is often idiopathic or related to a virus. In 2021, a total of 407 (77%) new patients at Cleveland Clinic had idiopathic or viral pericarditis.

ᵃPostcardiac surgery, catheter ablation, coronary artery stent, cardiac electronic device placement, or trauma

Pericardial Procedures: Volume and Type

2021, N = 398

The majority of pericardial procedures performed at Cleveland Clinic in 2021 were pericardiocentesis procedures. This percutaneous treatment is used to drain large pericardial effusions using an echo-guided approach. The echocardiography used during the procedure improves outcomes.

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Fig. 1 The pericardium is divided above the RV. (Reprinted with permission, Cleveland Clinic Center for Medical Art & Photography ©2018. All Rights Reserve

Fig. 2 The aorta and right side of the heart is dissected. (Reprinted with permission, Cleveland Clinic Center for Medical Art & Photography © 2018. All Rights Reserved)