Pericarditis in horses: 18 cases (1986-1995).

摘要

Medical records of horses with pericarditis, diagnosed at the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary Teaching Hospital (USA), were reviewed. Physical examination was performed on 16 horses. Cardiovascular abnormalities included tachycardia (16 horses), pericardial friction rub (10), venous distension (7), murmur (7), muffled heart sounds (6), weak arterial pulse (6), jugular pulse (6), and oedema (5). 12 horses also had respiratory abnormalities; the commonest was dull lung sounds, ventrally, suggestive of pleural effusion (10). Echocardiography was the most important tool for diagnosis of pericarditis. Detection of clinical signs of right-sided heart failure was significantly associated with severe accumulation of pericardial effusion and with detection of cardiac compromise. Severe accumulation of pericardial effusion was also significantly associated with echocardiographic detection of cardiac compromise. Pericarditis was idiopathic in 6 horses, and bacterial in 5. Five horses had non-septic pericarditis associated with bacterial respiratory disease, and 2 had non-septic pericarditis associated with viral respiratory disease. 14 of the 18 horses were treated specifically for pericarditis; 10 received antimicrobials and 6 with suspected immune-mediated pericarditis received corticosteroids. Pericardial drainage and lavage were performed on 6 horses in which pericardial effusion or fibrin accumulation was compromising cardiac function. Pericarditis resolved in all 14 horses that were treated, and all 14 returned to their prior intended use. It is suggested that with early detection of disease and aggressive treatment, the prognosis for horses with pericarditis is good.