Pericardial Diseases & Heartworm Flashcards
What is needed to do a pericardiocentesis and which side is it done from?
Right hand side Find point of maximum intensity ECG +/- sedate Lateral or eternal Extra holes in catheter with extension tubing
List the steps involved in performing a pericardiocentesis
Palpate point of maximum cardiac impulse
Clip, prep, lidocaine, attach ECG
Make extra holes in catheter, if necessary (sterile)
Small nick in skin, advance over the needle catheter with extension set and large syringe attached, applying gentle negative pressure
What is a VPC?
Ventricular premature complex.
- Ectopic impulses originating from an area distal to the His Purkinje system. They are the most common ventricular arrhythmia. They are used in conjunction with the clinical signs to assess the condition
What is a “reactive” mesothelioma cell? (Revision from earlier years)
Found when there is an infection or an inflammatory response present in a body cavity, remembering that a mesothelial cell is a specialised type of epithelium which makes up the lining of serosa life surfaces
What is electrical alternans and explain how it looks on ECG tape (using correct terminology relating to P, Q, R, S, T, etc).
This is when consecutive, normally conducted QRS complexes alternate in height. It is produced by the heart swinging backwards and forwards within a large fluid-filled pericardium.
- Differs, small voltage QRS complexes for example.
How common are cardiac tumours, what is the most common form and where does it usually locate?
Haemangiosarcoma is the most common, usually locating in the right auricle. Cardiac tumours are fairly uncommon.
Why are cardiac tumours not always associated with effusion?
The peritoneal cavity is capable of absorbing fluid well.
If you diagnose a splenic haemangiosarcoma, what might you offer to do regarding the heart and possible cause of this tumour?
Offer to do an ultrasound of the heart and check for right auricular haemangiosarcoma. This is the most common site in the heart for this.
What are the clinical signs of heartworms?
Reduced exercise tolerance, cough (aggravated by exercise)
Fatigue –> lethargy
Weight loss despite good appetite
Dyspnoea (difficulty breathing)
Syncope and hemoptysis (death of parasites and thromboembolism)
Abnormal pulmonary sounds (Crackles) over caudal lung lobes and splitting of the second heart sound can be heard
“Interestingly” Cats infested with heartworm will sometimes …
Vomit
Pericardial effusion falls under two major causative categories, which are …
Benign, idiopathic
Malignant
+/- tamponade
