double membranous sac covering the heart?
340164
The membrane covering the heart is called as pericardium. It is infact a thin layer. Its main function is to protact the heart.
338991
That could be a number of things. Both of my sisters had heart palpitations and it turned out they have a heart condition called mitrovalve prolapse. You should go to the doctor and get a complete physical and have them run some tests to rule out anything serious.
123614
It's a condition called "spina bifida" and it varies in severity.  Some people born with this defect go on to live fairly normal lives while others are profoundly disabled.  The doc who said it's nothing to worry about was probably correct, but there's nothing wrong with getting a second opinion.  The opening might possibly be a portal for infection, but most physicians are familiar enough with the condition that they can be accurate in their estimate of the level of such a risk.  If the parents do choose to have further studies done, they should be aware that MRI is expensive, and depending on circumstances, their insurance carrier may decline the cost.  Best bet - have a second pediatrician examine the child and ask him/her to confirm or contest the first doctor's prognosis.  Don't forget, all of us have an odd little hole in our persons that, in rare instances, can be a problem.  It's called the bellybutton.  I suspect the condition in the child in question is no more serious than is your own bellybutton.
1168601
My dad is going through the same problem right now.  He had a scan done, and they are setting up for the vascular surgeon to go in and put in a stent.  He has had this done once before, we were told too much plaque build-up, cholesteral.  He is on Lipitor for that, but the Dr. said it HAS to be done!!  His other side is blocked 80%!!  So try to get in touch with your family Dr. to get set-up for tests ASAP to get a professional problem.  Someone go with the patient to write things down because the patient is usually pretty stressed out to remember what was said!!  Good Luck for Good Health.
1050550
A new blood clot could maybe be there, perhaps there is enough lateral flow to keep the swelling subsided.  But I'm thinking more likely it could be a lymphatic problem and fluid is accumulating lymphatically.  Definitely keep on top of this with your doctor!  Get well!
1015632
I have one myself, several years now.  Occured sometime after lung transpalnt surgery.  My doctor has told me that it is only a problem if it strangulates my intestines, otherwise don't worry.  Since you are also worried about your appearance, you may want to look into surgical repair, that's the only way to remove one.  A good surgeon can do this with minimal scar and can even hide the scar in your belly button.
1076932
I notaced there isnt a whole lot of answers for this one. For those of you who don't know what it is or what it does. The pericardium is the fluid filled sac that surrounds the heart and the proximal ends of the aorta, vena cava and the pulmonary artery. \nIt keeps the heart contained in the chest cavity. \nPrevents the heart from overexpanding when blood volume increases and limits heart motion.\nTo answer your question: (I had to look this up)\nParietal pericardium has been determined to be 1-2mm by anatomic studies but it is non-uniform in thickness.
723566
This is a ridiculous question that makes me think you have not even tried.  The problem is not being able to find anything rather how to fit so much information on one page.  Check out this link from the Mayo Clinic.  It is very good at even defining what you mean by "heart disease."  Good luck.\n\nhttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/cardiovascular-disease/HB00032
168676
Yes, see a doctor and let them know how often it happens (keep a journal) and ask for a 24hr halter monitor.  I had similar incidents, and my old Dr. didn't do squat...said it was my smoking.  I switched dr's, she suggested the monitor, they saw something, did further tests and i found out I have a defective heart valve, from birth.  Not to scare you...I'm fine now...no meds, no surgery.  But have it checked out.
875100
You have a sac which surrounds your heart called the pericardium, it normally contains a small amount of fluid. This sac prevents friction from occuring on the heart while it is beating (so it doesn't rub against other organs). If you have a pericardial effusion, it means that there is fluid buildup in the sac moreso than normal. A trivial effusion is too small to  consider tapping and draining it with a needle, and your body will likely reabsorb the excess.
403952
4 total, two atrial chambers and 2 ventricular chambers
1145362
A CT scan detected ascites, hepatomegaly with. enlargement of the caudate lobe and compression of the. inferior caval vein (VCI)......I think
449197
It sounds like you are referring to a set of disorders called "connective tissue disorders" which can include Marfan Syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, among others.  Patients with these sorts of conditions have very flexible joints (double-jointed) among other signs.\n\nThe main heart condition that such patients have to be aware of is a thoracic aortic aneurysm.  Basically, the wall of the aorta (the main artery in your body) is abnormal and can start to balloon up over time.  Not all patients with these conditions will get a thoracic aortic aneurysm, but it should absolutely be screened for.  This needs to be monitored with serial echocardiograms and, if it reaches a certain size, should be operated on.  The risk of not treating a thoracic aortic aneurysm is eventual rupture or dissection, both of which are highly lethal.  (John Ritter died of an ascending aortic dissection.)  Hope that helps.\n\nP.S.  If people don't know the answers to some of these questions, why do they post a response to say, "I don't know!"  Is it just a ploy to earn points or something?  The points are worthless!
108032
I think you should seek a second opinion.  Sometimes pediatricians are quick to dismiss b/c they see so many of the same things all the time.  It could be something more serious (though I have no idea).  A friend of mine is in the process of getting over an extremely rare disease, and he wasn't properly diagnosed until he was taken to one of the best hospitals in the country.  Sometimes it takes some insistence and a clean pair of eyes to get to the root of the problem.  Best of luck with your kids!
698064
First of all, I would like to say...\nI AM SO VERY SORRIE FOR YOUR LOSS! \nMy thoughts & prayers are with you! \n\nOK...as far as "Thymus Gland"...I am embarrassed to say that I  dont know ANYTHING about it, however, I included several links for you to search through. I do hope you will find some answers. \n\nDid I understand correctly when you said that the "M. E." (Medical Examiner) never GAVE a "Cause Of Death"? \n\nIt is VERY IMPORTANT that you find "Closure". It has been 43 some odd years (I was born in 1961) and you CANNOT begin to "Heal" if you have no closure. \nI SO DO wish you the very best! ;)\n\nWAIT! Check out the below article I just found. \nI have attached the link to it immediately below the article itself. \n\nDiGeorge Syndrome: \nImportant....... \nIt is possible that the main title of the report DiGeorge Syndrome is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report. \n\nSynonyms: \nCongenital Absence of the Thymus and Parathyroids \nDGS \nHarrington Syndrome \nPharyngeal Pouch Syndrome \nThird and Fourth Pharyngeal Pouch Syndrome \nThymic Agenesis \nThymic Aplasia, DiGeorge Type \nThymic Hypoplasia, DiGeorge Type \nThymus, Congenital, Aplasia \nChromosome 22q11 Deletion Syndrome \nDisorder Subdivisions \n\nGeneral:\nDiGeorge syndrome is a rare immunodeficiency disorder characterized by various congenital abnormalities that develop because of defects that occur during early fetal development. These defects occur in areas known as the 3rd and 4th pharyngeal pouches, which later develop into the thymus and parathyroid glands. Developmental abnormalities may also occur in the 4th branchial arch.\n\nNormally the thymus gland is located below the thyroid gland in the neck and front of the chest and is the primary gland of the lymphatic system, which is necessary for the normal functioning of the immune system. The parathyroid glands, located on the sides of the thyroid gland, are responsible for the maintenance of normal levels of calcium in the blood. The thymus and parathyroid glands are missing or underdeveloped in children with DiGeorge syndrome. The symptoms of this disorder vary greatly, depending upon the extent of the missing thymus and parathyroid tissue. The primary problem caused by DiGeorge syndrome is the repeated occurrence of various infections due to a diminished immune system.\n\nhttp://www.webmd.com/hw/heart_disease/nord74.asp\n\nA few links for "Resources"...\n\n1)...March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation \n1275 Mamaroneck Avenue\nWhite Plains, NY 10605\nTel: (914)428-7100\nFax: (914)997-4763\nTel: (888)663-4637\nEmail: Askus@marchofdimes.com\nInternet: http://www.marchofdimes.com\n\n2)...Immune Deficiency Foundation\n40 West Chesapeake Avenue\nSuite 308\nTowson, MD 21230\nTel: (410)321-6647\nFax: (410)321-9165\nTel: (800)296-4433\nEmail: idf@primaryimmune.org\nInternet: http://www.primaryimmune.org\n\n3)...Chromosome 22 Central\n237 Kent Ave\nTimmins\nOntario, Intl P4N 3C2\nCanada\nTel: 7052683099\nEmail: a815@c22c.org\nInternet: http://www.c22c.org\n\n4)...NIH/National Institute of Child Health and Human Development\n31 Center Dr\nBuilding 31, Room 2A32\nMSC2425\nBethesda, MD 20892\nTel: (301)496-5133\nFax: (301)496-7101\nInternet: http://www.nih.gov/hichd/\n\nGOOD LUCK!
1098099
First I would ask for an echocardiogram with & without saline (water bubbles); this will show any & hopefully all holes in your heart. I had it done & they found I was missing a chamber and had holes on the opposite side of my heart which required them to "cath" my heart. They make a small slice in the groin area & go through a main artery in your leg up to your heart. I'm only 5' & 100 lbs & they couldn't knock me out with morphine (I watched the entire procedure & ticked off my cardiologist -lol). My personal opinion would be 1. ask questions, make a list if you have to, 2. check out the surgeons & their history, & 3. if they are as good as they check out to be the procedure will be a cakewalk for you. I was 38 when they found all of this & now I'm 43 and alive to see my baby (23) get married this coming August to a wonderful young lady. My Dad had 2 triple arterial bypasses & he lost a leg in Korea and God bless him, he'll be 79 this July. Yes, I had a good role model but it is normal to get upset when a Dr mentions a prob w/the heart & that you have to face surgery. I now know how a lobster feels having its chest cracked but thorasic & cardiac surgery is so advanced that I can promise you that you'll be fine. Try to keep a positive attitude and have faith; they told me after 3 days that if I could walk up & down a flight of stairs 4 times, I could go home..........I bolted & got my boney butt outta that hospital & back into my own home in no time. My thoughts & prayers are with you (Navy brat here) but above all : keep the faith.\nBeth
1127250
See a heart specialist ....I am serious !