title: Canine pericardial effusion: diagnosis,treatment, and prognosis.
abstract: Most cases of pericardial effusion can be diagnosed with a thorough physical examination. Physical examination findings may include muffled heart sounds, pulsus paradoxus, and jugular venous distention. Radiographs may show a globoid cardiac silhouette. Echocardiography is reliable in diagnosing pericardial effusion. Pericardiocentesis is indicated for the emergency treatment of pericardial tamponade. Pericardiectomy may improve survival in some dogs. The prognosis varies greatly, depending on the underlying cause.
authors.affiliation: Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, USA.
authors.forename: Scott P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Shaw
authors.forename: John E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Rush
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D020519:Pericardiocentesis / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000662:veterinary; D011379:Prognosis; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000662:veterinary