Pericardiale effusie bij de hond

Abstract

Pericardial diseases are relatively common in the dog and are mostly associated with pericardial effusion. In the majority of the cases, pericardial effusion is caused by neoplasia or is idiopathic. When the intrapericardial pressure rises due to fluid accumulation, cardiac tamponade develops. Pericardiocentesis is an important diagnostic as well as therapeutic technique in any patient with pericardial effusion. In dogs with recurrent pericardial effusion, pericardectomy is advised. The most commonly performed surgical techniques are subtotal pericardectomy via thoracotomy or thoracoscopic creation of a pericardial window. The prognosis after pericardectomy depends highly on the cause of the pericardial effusion, and is favorable in case of idiopathic effusion but guarded in case of neoplastic effusion.