title: Survival times of and prognostic indicators for dogs with heart base masses: 25 cases (1986-1999).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine survival times of and prognostic indicators for dogs with heart base masses.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  25 dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Medical records were reviewed to obtain information regarding signalment; initial complaint; results of physical examination, radiography, electrocardiography, and echocardiography; surgical findings; medical and surgical treatment; outcome; necropsy findings; survival time; and cause of death.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survival time ranged from 0 to 1,096 days (mean, 213 days; median, 57 days). None of the variables examined, including initial complaints and results of physical examination, radiography, electrocardiography, and echocardiography, were associated with survival time. However, dogs that underwent pericardectomy had a significantly longer mean survival time (mean +/- SD, 661 +/- 170 days) than did dogs that were treated medically (129 +/- 51 days).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that dogs with heart base masses that undergo pericardectomy may survive longer than those that receive medical treatment alone.
authors.affiliation: VCA Newark Animal Hospital, Newark, DE 19711, USA.
authors.forename: E D
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Vicari
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Brown
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Holt
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Brockman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000401:mortality* / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010492:Pericardiectomy / Q000401:mortality / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome