Pericardial effusion is the most common consequence of diseases affecting the pericardium. The majority of pericardial effusions are hemorrhagic (which is usually non-clotting). This can result in cardiac tamponade and clinical signs of forward heartfailure and right-sided congestive failure. The two most common causes of pericardial haemorrhage (the UK) are idiopathic pericarditis and cardiac neoplasia.1 Hemorrhage due to left atrial tear associated with gross left atrial dilation caused by mitralvalve disease is infrequent. A small to moderate volume of effusion sometimes can occur with congestive heart failure (in cats and dogs) and hypoproteinemia, but rarely causes tamponade. A small effusion can occur secondary to hypoproteinaemia and usually does not cause cardiac tamponade. Exudative (infectious) effusions are rare in small animals, often being secondary to a penetrating FB. When the volume of pericardial effusion is significant and causing tamponade, pericardiocentesis is necessary to relieve the tamponade and restore right heart filling pressures. For various reasons, over the decades the veterinary profession has used and adapted a range of techniques to perform pericardiocentesis, often involving sharp needles very close to coronaryarteries, or cutting side-holes in catheters. There seems to have been a failure to adopt or adapt human medical catheters to perform pericardiocentesis. Maybe this has been inhibited by perceived financial constraints? This presentation will illustratethe use of a novel catheter, using the Seldinger methodology, which is effective for pericardiocentesis in dogs.
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