Experimental Pericarditis

Abstract

The article discusses a pressing issue in cardiac surgery – the development of cicatricial adhesions and complications that arise from adhesive pericarditis, which can transform into a more severe condition known as constrictive pericarditis. The article also delves into the challenges of performing repeated cardiac surgery, the factors that trigger the adhesive process in the pericardium, and the etiopathogenetic mechanisms of fibrogenesis. These mechanisms involve the participation of active immune cells and the release of proinflammatory cytokines. Specifically, the article examines the features involved in the development of constrictive pericarditis, focusing on the cellular and molecular aspects of pericardial remodeling. It also evaluates the surgical and therapeutic measures currently used to prevent complications after cardiac surgery. Using original biological test systems involving experimental animals is advocated for a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying adhesive pericarditis after cardiac surgery and the development of effective prevention strategies. A range of experimental models of adhesions caused by pericarditis during open-heart surgery in mice is presented in this paper. The models include talc-induced pericarditis in mice, pigs, dogs, and rabbits, induced through the intrapericardial injection of Zymosan A, a known activator of the nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat and pyrin-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Furthermore, the paper also covers mechanical methods of activation of pericarditis. These experimental models will help researchers explore the potential of new anti-adhesion drug molecules, which can be used in cardiac surgery. Keywords: Cardiac surgery, constrictive pericarditis, mechanisms of fibrogenesis, prevention of pericarditis, experimental models of pericarditis