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Pericardial disease in the dog and cat

The pericardium is a double-walled sac that surrounds the heart and the roots of the great vessels. Although survival is possible without a pericardium, it does serve several functions: balancing right and left ventricular cardiac output; acting as a barrier for infection; and fixing the position of the heart within the thorax. Pericardial diseases can have profound effects on the cardiovascular system and can lead to circulatory collapse, therefore they need to be identified promptly. This article briefly reviews normal pericardial anatomy and physiology, and addresses congenital and acquired pericardial disease processes together with their diagnosis and management.