Abstract
Summary
Removal of the pericardium in combination with a mild exercise program of swimming resulted in a significant increase in heart weight and heart weight/body weight ratio of young rats. Either exercise or pericardiectomy alone did not significantly alter these parameters as compared to the control group of rats. This finding further substantiates the pericardium's physiologic effect on the heart. The effects of pericardiectomy should be considered in experimental studies of cardiac hypertrophy and in clinical studies involving cardiac surgery.
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