Use of Yunnan Baiyao and epsilon aminocaproic acid in dogs with right atrial masses and pericardial effusion.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the utility of Yunnan Baiyao (YB) alone or in combination with epsilon aminocaproic acid (EAC) for the treatment of dogs with echocardiographically identified right atrial (RA) masses and pericardial effusion (PE).


METHODS
Retrospective case-controlled study.


METHODS
Two private practice referral hospitals.


METHODS
Client-owned dogs with RA masses and PE identified echocardiographically over a 3-year period.


METHODS
None.


RESULTS
There were 67 dogs identified with RA masses and PE during the study period. Sixteen dogs were treated with YB alone while 8 dogs were treated with YB in combination with EAC in addition to pericardiocentesis. Forty-three dogs were treated with pericardiocentesis alone and were considered to be the control group. There was no difference between the groups in regards to signalment, physical examination abnormalities, and diagnostic test results on presentation. There was no significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to number of pericardiocenteses performed and there were no side effects attributed to the YB or EAC in any of the dogs. Median time to recurrence of clinical signs was not significantly different between the treatment (12 d, range 1-186 d) and control group (14.5 d, range 1-277 d). The median survival of dogs treated with YB alone or in combination with EAC (18 d, range 1-186 d) was also not significantly improved compared to dogs treated with pericardiocenteses alone (16 d, range 1-277 d).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests YB alone or in combination with EAC is relatively safe but does not significantly delay recurrence of clinical signs or improve survival in dogs with RA masses and PE. Due to the small cohort size, further prospective studies evaluating these drugs and their effects on hemostasis in dogs with RA masses and PE are warranted.
Oradell Animal Hospital, Paramus, NJ, 07652.
Lisa A
LA
Murphy
United Veterinary Specialty and Emergency, San Jose, CA, 95123.
Cynthia M
CM
Panek
Advanced Critical Care, Emergency and Specialty Services, Woodland Hills, CA, 91364.
Domenico
D
Bianco
Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Center, Thousand Oaks, CA, 91360.
Reid K
RK
Nakamura
D015119:Aminocaproic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D002681:China; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D004285:Dogs; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006325:Heart Atria; D006338:Heart Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; C530960:yunnan baiyao; D015119:Aminocaproic Acid
antifibrinolytic; canine; hemangiosarcoma; hemostasis; procoagulant; therapy