pericardial disease

Question 1

What is cardiac tamponade?

Answer 1

pericardial fluid generates pressure and results in collapse of right side of heart and hinders venous return

Question 2

Cardiac tamponade results in what pericardial disorders?

Answer 2

increased central venous pressure

-systemic cardiac output falls

Question 3

What are the clinical signs of cardiac tamponade?

Answer 3

• lethargy
• respiratory difficulty
• collapse/syncope
• exercise intolerance
• vomiting
• abdominal distension

Question 4

What are the physical exam findings of cardiac tamponade?

Answer 4

• muffled heart sounds
• tachycardia
• pulsus paradoxus
• right-sided CHF
• diminished perfusion
• pericardial friction rubs
• sloshing or gurgling sounds

Question 5

Which statement on pericardial effusion is correct?
A. Syncope is an infrequent clinical sign
B. Vomiting is a potential clinical sign
C. Severity of cardiac tamponade is directly dependent on effusion volume
D. Results in left sided CHF
E. Blood pressure is generally normal

Answer 5

B. Vomiting is a potential clinical sign

C is wrong because it is dependent on effusion volume AND rate

Question 6

What cardiac neoplasias can cause pericardial effusion?

Answer 6

• HEMANGIOSARCOMA
• heart base tumors
• mesothelioma
• lymphoma

Question 7

What are the non-neoplastic causes of pericardial effusion?

Answer 7

• IDIOPATHIC PERICARDITIS
• septic
• fungal
• left atrial perforation
• coagulopathy
• CHF

Question 8

The most common cause of pericardial effusion in dogs is?
A. Hemangiosarcoma
B. Heart base tumors
C. Malignant mesothelioma
D. Lymphoma
E. CHF

Answer 8

A. Hemangiosarcoma

Question 9

What can be done for right atrial masses?

Answer 9

• pericardiocentesis

- pericardectomy +/- mass resection +/- chemotherapy

Question 10

Why are brachycephalic breeds predisposed to pericardial effusion?
A. They are predisposed to hemangiosarcoma
B. They commonly develop mesothelioma
C. They commonly develop heart base tumors
D. They have abnormal pericardial drainage
E. Brachycephalic breeds are not predisposed to pericardial effusion

Answer 10

C. They commonly develop heart base tumors

Question 11

What is idiopathic pericarditis?

Answer 11

an inflammatory process of the pericardial membrane resulting in pericardial effusion

Question 12

What is the prognosis for idiopathic pericarditis?

Answer 12

• excellent w/ pericardiectomy

- guarded with tap alone

Question 13

You diagnose your first case of idiopathic pericarditis. What do you recommend for long term therapy following the tap?
A. Monitor for recurrence
B. corticosteroids
C. Tap 3 times, then pericardiectomy
D. Pericardiectomy
E. Indwelling catheter with recurrent lavage

Answer 13

D. Pericardiectomy

Question 14

What are the etiologies for pericardial effusion in cats?

Answer 14

• CHF
• lymphoma
• FIP
• sepsis
• idiopathic
• uremia
• fluid overload

Question 15

What are the etiologies for pericardial effusion in horses?

Answer 15

• IDIOPATHIC PERICARDITIS
• bacterial
• viral
• septicemia
• pneumonia and pleuropneumonia
• pleuritis
• traumatic pericarditis from penetrating wounds
• neoplastic causes (rare)

Question 16

What is the treatment for pericardial effusion in horses?

Answer 16

• pericardiocentesis
• chest tube
• pericardial lavage
• corticosteroids
• pericardectomy

Question 17

What are the etiologies for pericardial effusion in cattle?

Answer 17

• HARDWARE DISEASE
• lymphosarcoma
• infection
• idiopathic

Question 18

What is the treatment for pericardial effusion in cattle?

Answer 18

• pericardiocentesis
• pericardiostomy with 5th rib resection
• thoracoscopic widow pericardectomy