Pericarditis - Fibrinous -I

This is a front-cephalad view of a heart with extensive fibrinous exudate  on the visceral pericardium (epicardium) involving the atria and the ventricles. The white arrows indicate the insertion site of the pericardial sac around the aorta. Note that the fibrinous exudate is not present beyond this landmark. Thus indicating that the fibrinous exudate is present in the pericardial space only.
Ao = Aorta. LV = Left ventricle. PA = pulmonary artery and valve. RAA = Right atrial appendage. RV = right ventricle. RVOT = right ventricular outflow tract.

Ater removal of the great vessels the fibrinous exudate is clearly surrounding the myocardium as shown here.

As the fibrinous pericarditis heals, stages of organization of the exudate follow, which can lead to fibrosis (organized pericarditis) and/or calcificaiton

The microscopic aspect of fibrinous pericarditis is shown here.

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