Etymed
pericardiotomy
Definition
Surgical incision into the pericardium, the fibrous sac surrounding the heart
Clinical context
A 65-year-old male presents to the emergency department with acute cardiac tamponade following a motor vehicle accident. He is hypotensive with muffled heart sounds and JVP elevation. Emergency pericardiotomy is performed to relieve the pericardial effusion and restore cardiac function. The patient's hemodynamic instability resolves immediately after the procedure.
Mnemonic
PERIcardiotomy = PERIcardial incision around the HEART