title: Successful transabdominal subxiphoid pericardiostomy to relieve chronic pericardial effusion in a Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelli).
abstract: A 46-yr-old female Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelli) was first diagnosed with pericardial effusion in July 2006. Pericardiocentesis performed in January 2007 only provided short-term relief. In May 2007, a pericardial-peritoneal window was created using a transabdominal subxiphoid pericardiostomy technique, providing immediate and long-term relief. Seven months later, the orangutan was euthanized due to worsening heart failure, and no pericardial effusion was present. Transabdominal subxiphoid pericardiostomy offers a straightforward surgical approach that can provide significant relief in cases of chronic pericardial effusion in great apes.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Services, San Diego Zoo, 1354 Old Globe Way, San Diego, California 92101, USA. probbins@sandiegozoo.org
authors.forename: P K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: Geoffrey W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Pye
authors.forename: Meg
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sutherland-Smith
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Papendick
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greenberg
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Levy
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Madani
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018420:Ape Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D010491:Pericardial Window Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D011148:Pongo pygmaeus; D016896:Treatment Outcome