title: The use of the diaphragmatico-hepatic (DH) views of the abdominal and thoracic focused assessment with sonography for triage (AFAST/TFAST) examinations for the detection of pericardial effusion in 24 dogs (2011-2012).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the clinical usefulness of the diaphragmatico-hepatic (DH) view of the abdominal and thoracic focused assessment with sonography for triage (AFAST/TFAST) in detecting pericardial effusion (PE) in dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case series from 2011 to 2012.
  
  
  METHODS
  Private practice emergency and critical care hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four dogs with PE diagnosed by FAST.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty-two medical records from October 1, 2011 through September 30, 2012 had the terms "PE" within the medical record. Twenty-four dogs were diagnosed with PE by FAST with entries for the DH view. Of the 24 dogs, 7 had abdominal FAST, 6 had thoracic FAST (TFAST), and 11 had both exams performed. PE was noted on the DH view in 20 of 24 (83%) cases. Subjective PE volume assessment ranged from trivial (<5 mm) to severe. Of the 4 cases in which PE was absent via the DH view, PE was seen during the same exam at the TFAST pericardial views (n = 2) or detected on serial exam at the DH view (n = 2). The PE volume that was missed via the DH view was characterized as trivial (<5 mm; n = 1), mild (n = 1), and moderate (n = 2).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The DH view of FAST was found to be clinically helpful for the detection of PE. Veterinarians should make it routine practice and part of FAST training to look into the thorax via the DH view during both abdominal FAST and TFAST exams.
authors.affiliation: Hill Country Veterinary Specialists, San Antonio, TX, 78259, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Lisciandro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004285:Dogs; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014218:Triage / Q000379:methods*; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: AFAST; FAST; TFAST; cardiac tamponade; diagnostic imaging