title: Thoracoscopic pericardiotomy as a palliative treatment in a cow with pericardial lymphoma.
abstract: A 5-year-old Holstein cow, pregnant with a valuable calf, was presented with signs of heart failure (tachycardia, peripheral edema, and distended jugular veins) related to pericardial lymphoma and associated cardiac tamponade. In addition, pleural effusion was present in both hemithoraces. Medical treatment, which consisted of repeated pericardiocenteses, placement of indwelling pleural catheters, administration of intravenous fluid therapy, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, was ineffective in controlling recurrence of clinical signs despite a temporary improvement. A standing thoracoscopic pericardiotomy was performed in an attempt to reduce clinical signs of heart failure and to prolong life. Clinical signs of heart failure abated and no recurrence was seen. Standing thoracoscopic pericardiotomy along with possible corticosteroids can be recommended as palliative treatment in an effort to extend life for reproductive performance in genetically valuable animals.
authors.affiliation: Center for Human Genetics, Onderzoek en Navorsing, College of Medicine, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Herestraat 49 bus 602, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jérôme
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Biervliet
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kraus
authors.forename: Brett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Woodie
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Divers
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gelzer
authors.forename: Dorothy
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ainsworth