Equis ISSN 2398-2977
Heart: pericarditis
Contributor(s): Karen Blissitt, Christopher Brown, Vetstream Ltd
Introduction
- Pericarditis in association with a pericardial effusion is a rare clinical entity in the horse.
- Cause: penetrating wounds, extension of infection from adjacent structures, septicemia, neoplasia.
- Signs: tachycardia, ventral edema, jugular venous distension, diminished heart sounds.
- Diagnosis: clinical signs, echocardiography, pericardiocentesis, radiography.
- Treatment: treatment of underlying cause, pericardiocentesis
- Prognosis: guarded but better if condition diagnosed and treated early.
Pathogenesis
Etiology
- Most commonly, pericardial effusion results from an idiopathic aseptic pericarditis. Effusive and fibrinous types recognized.
- Neoplasia.
- Secondary to penetrating thoracic wounds.
- Extension of infection from adjacent structures.
- Septicemia.
Pathophysiology
- Pericardial effusion → restriction of ventricular dilation and impedes atrial and ventricular filling.
- This decreases end-diastolic volumes → poor cardiac output → sympathetic nervous system and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activated → tachycardia, vasoconstriction, retention of sodium and water → increased end-diastolic atrial pressure → increased ventricular filling pressures → backward cardiac failure → increased central venous pressure → jugular distension, abdominal and pleural effusions, ventral edema.
- Right side of heart more susceptible because of thin wall.
Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Outcomes
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Further Reading
Publications
Refereed papers
- Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.
- Alcott C J, Howard J, Wong D & Haynes J (2013) Fibrinous pericarditis and cardiac tamponade in a 3-week-old pony foal. Equine Vet Educ 25 (7), 328-333 VetMedResource.
- Reimer J (2013) Management of equine pericarditis. Equine Vet Educ 25 (7), 334-338 VetMedResource.
- Worth L T, Reed V B (1998) Pericarditis in horses, 18 cases (1986-1995). JAVMA 212 (2), 248 PubMed.
- Freestone J F, Thomas W P, Carlson G P & Brumbaugh G W (1987) Idiopathic effusive pericarditis with tamponade in the horse. Equine Vet J 19 (1), 38-42 PubMed.