Hello,
Niebla is a ~ 5 years old F/S GSP X rescued from Dominican Rep. 2 years ago
Presented for anorexia, distended abdomen
Had muffled heart and abdominal fluid wave on PE
Pericardiocentesis performed, removed 400 ml of clear fluid- Transudate
Large amount of peritoneal fluid as well
BW was wnl except mild hypoalbuminemia Alb 28
2 days after pericardiocentesis there was no fluid in the abdomen a nd mild amt of fluid in the pericardium
No tumor seen on the heart, some VPC’s during the exam. can this be ARVC/ right side heart failure?
Whould that cause pericardial effusion? with tamponade and secondary perit. effusion?
On Abdomen noted periportal enlarged nodes or mass.
Thank you
Comments
Percardial effusion may arise from cardiac or pericardial neoplasia, pericarditis, CHF, decreased albumin, trauma, toxin, infection and idiopathic as primary causes off the top of my head.
The albumin levels are OK so thats ruled out. Since the right heart is not enlarged and the left heart looks normal, I dont think the effusion can be attributed to structural CHF.
The heart rate seems elevated. An ECG or Holter may be considered as sometimes tachycardia induced heart failure can happen.
If you stil have some pericardial effusion left, cytology +/- culture may be considered if not done. I would monitor for the recurrence of the pericardial effusion and get some more if possible for diagnostics. Best case scenario is the effusion wont return.
The periportal lesion seems fluid filled. Color Doppler assessment would be good to see if the lesion is vascular. It doesnt look like a lymoh node to me, unless its a cystic lymph node.
Thank you DrMac. Will try to define the arrhytmia by repeated EKG. Will get a Culture on the pericardial fluid.
From my understanding the fluid obtained if pericarditis is ussualy bloody.
What about a post sinusoidal cause? If the lesion in the periportal region would be the cause I think I would get first abdominal effusion . I have to admit that post sinusoidal cause for pericarial fluid is a strange concept to me.
Thank you,
Calin