Cardiac lymphoma and pericardial effusion in dogs: 12 cases (1994-2004).
OBJECTIVE
To determine clinical characteristics and clinicopathologic findings, including results of pericardial fluid analysis, and determine the outcome associated with pericardial effusion caused by cardiac lymphoma in dogs.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
12 dogs.


METHODS
Medical records of affected dogs were reviewed for echocardiographic findings, radiographic findings, results of pericardial fluid analysis, clinicopathologic findings, treatment protocols, and outcomes.


RESULTS
Pericardial effusion was detected by echocardiography in all 12 dogs, and lymphoma was detected by cytologic examination of the effusion (11/12 dogs) or histologic examination of pericardium (3/12). Large-breed dogs were overrepresented; median weight was 40.5 kg (89.1 lb). Most hematologic and biochemical changes were mild and non-specific. Survival time for dogs treated with combination chemotherapeutic agents was 157 days and for dogs that did not receive chemotherapy survival time was 22 days. This difference was not significant, but several dogs had long-term survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Cardiac lymphoma is an uncommon cause of pericardial effusion, and results suggest that cardiac lymphoma does not always warrant the poor prognosis of other stage V, substage b lymphomas.
MacGregor
John M
JM
Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, North Grafton, MA 01536, USA.
Faria
Maria L E
ML
Moore
Antony S
AS
Tobias
Anthony H
AH
Brown
Donald J
DJ
de Morais
Helio S A
HS
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008223:Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome