Idiopathic effusive pericarditis with tamponade in the horse

Abstract

Summary Pericarditis and pericardial effusion are considered to occur rarely in the horse. The clinical and laboratory features of idiopathic pericarditis with effusion diagnosed in 10 horses over a seven‐year period were reviewed. Consistent physical findings included tachycardia, ventral oedema, jugular venous distention and diminished heart sounds. Electrocardiographic features included diminished voltages and electrical alternans, and the effusion was identified by echocardiography in the six horses in which it was performed. Pericardiocentesis relieved clinical signs in nine horses. Laboratory anaylsis of pericardial fluid samples classified six cases as aseptic serofibrinous, three cases as eosinophilic, and one case as histiocytic. One horse died and three were destroyed. The remaining six horses recovered following pericardiocentesis (performed once or twice) with or without corticosteroid treatment, and were alive one month to seven years after diagnosis.

Echocardiography as an approach for canine cardiac disease diagnosis

“…Heart was seen floating in the fluid, or we can say swinging motion of the heart. This finding was also in accordance to authors [16,17]. Color Doppler when applied at the left parastenal apical view, showed mild mitral regurgitation while severe regurgitation at the level of aortic valves was observed.…”

Idiopathic aseptic pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade in a horse

“…Pericarditis is an uncommon condition in horses. A search of veterinary literature since 1987 revealed 77 cases of pericarditis described in horses (Freestone et al . 1987; Bernard et al .…”

“…Electrocardiographic abnormalities associated with pericardial effusion and tamponade include diminished QRS voltage and electrical alternans (Freestone et al . 1987; Vörös et al .…”

“…Pericarditis and pericardial effusion are reported to be uncommon in the horse (Freestone et al . 1987; Worth and Reef 1998).…”

“…Aggressive early treatment is essential and should include pericardial drainage (Freestone et al . 1987; Vörös et al .…”