Pericardial Effusion

Sonopath Forum

Sonopath Forum

Pericardial Effusion

  • 5 year old 35kg (overweight) Collie dog presented 6 months ago with significant pericardial effusion, weakness, ascites..
  • No underlying cause identified on thoracic/abdominal exam
  • Pericardiocentesis performed (removed 120ml port wine fluid, student entered room near end, dog jumped off table and catheter displaced). A small volume of fluid was left in pericardial sac.
  • Cytology was unremarkable. Ascites resolved.
  • Dog was normal for a couple of months and then started panting and was persistently mildly pyrexic. No response to abs.

    • 5 year old 35kg (overweight) Collie dog presented 6 months ago with significant pericardial effusion, weakness, ascites..
    • No underlying cause identified on thoracic/abdominal exam
    • Pericardiocentesis performed (removed 120ml port wine fluid, student entered room near end, dog jumped off table and catheter displaced). A small volume of fluid was left in pericardial sac.
    • Cytology was unremarkable. Ascites resolved.
    • Dog was normal for a couple of months and then started panting and was persistently mildly pyrexic. No response to abs.
    • Repeat exam – very small volume pericardial effusion, normal cardiac exam, no tamponade, no masses identified, no ascites. 
    • Do you think not draining pericardial effusion in full has caused a problem? Could small volume pericardial effusion be causing pyrexia and panting if previous fluid analysis unremarkable? 
    • The PE was too small to drain but do you think this dog should have a pericardectomy/biopsy?

Comments

rlobetti
May 23, 2019 at 7:30 am -

From the history would say

From the history would say that the initial diagnosis was idiopathic pericardial effusion that resolved following centesis. As currently there is minimal pericardial effusion would look for other reasons for the clinical signs. Leaving a small amount fluid usually not a problem.

veteurope1
May 23, 2019 at 11:38 am -

Thanks Rob. And does this

Thanks Rob. And does this remaining fluid usually go away with time or remain in the pericardial sac but not causing a problem?

rlobetti
May 23, 2019 at 11:47 am -

Usually the residual fluid

Usually the residual fluid goes away without causing any long-term issues. 

veteurope1
May 23, 2019 at 11:50 am -

The first pericardiocentesis

The first pericardiocentesis was 6 months ago so maybe this is new fluid? Would you reassess in a few months and do pericardectomy/window if re-forming?

rlobetti
May 23, 2019 at 11:53 am -

Often the fluid reforms in a

Often the fluid reforms in a short space of time – would get the owner to monitor for clinical signs and repeat the US within 7-10 days to assess the volume.

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