Cardiac disorders: Pericardial Disease

Question 1

Most pericardial effusions in canine patients are often ____________ or __________. What are some possible differentials for this?

Answer 1

Serosanguineous, sanguineous

HSA (right atrium/ auricle) and aortic body chemodectoma, or also idiopathic pericardial effusion

oOher neoplasms that can occur at the heart base include thyroid, parathyroid, lymphoid, and sarcomas

Question 2

True or False: Exudative pericardial effusions are common in small animals, and often are associated with trauma, plant awn migration, pleural or mediastinal infections, and bite wounds.

Answer 2

False, they are uncommon in small animal patients

Question 3

Common physical findings associated with cardiac tamponade include -?

Answer 3

Jugular venous distension, hepatomegaly, ascites, labored respiration, and weak peripheral pulses

Question 4

Medical management of patients with cardiac tamponade include -?

Answer 4

Pericardiocentesis, glucocorticoids (if idiopathic), antibiotics

Question 5

What is the number one congenital pericardial disease in small animal patients? What treatment options are available for patients with this condition?

Answer 5

PPDH, peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia

Surgical closure, but in uncomplicated cases prognosis is excellent and may do well without surgery