title: Cytological diagnosis of cardiac masses with ultrasound guided fine needle aspirates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cardiac masses are uncommon in the canine population. When present, an attempt should be made to obtain a definitive diagnosis. Our goal with this case series was to report that as long as anatomic location permits, obtaining fine needle aspirates (FNAs) for cytological evaluation is practical, safe, and may provide a definitive diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our database has been retrospectively searched for cases where FNA of cardiac masses have been performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of six cases were retrieved. Four dogs were under general anaesthesia and two were sedated. Ultrasound guided transthoracic FNAs were obtained in all cases with only minor complications: mild self-limiting pericardial effusion (n = 1) and one ventricular ectopic complex (n = 1). All dogs were closely monitored during the procedure (pulse oximetry, electrocardiography and blood pressure). A diagnosis was obtained in all cases: inflammation (n = 1), haemangiosarcoma (n = 2), sarcoma (n = 2) and chemodectoma (n = 1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A cytological diagnosis allows clinicians to make appropriate clinical decisions, has dramatic impact on treatment recommendations and gives information about prognosis.
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK. Electronic address: b.pedro@liv.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Brigite
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Pedro
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK; Veterinary Cardiorespiratory Centre, Kenilworth, Warwickshire, CV8 1JL, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Linney
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Navarro-Cubas
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK; HS Cardiology, Dalton House, 9 Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1WD, UK.
authors.forename: Hannah
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Stephenson
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dukes-McEwan
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Anna R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Gelzer
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool School of Veterinary Science, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Marc S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kraus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D044963:Biopsy, Fine-Needle / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Dogs; Echocardiography; Heart; Transthoracic; Tumours