Case report: Pericardiac tamponade in a bitch: Treatment with simple drainage and literature

A literature review confirms the fact review that pericardial tamponade is rare. Pericardial effusions on the other hand are not uncommon, occur predo minantly in medium to large dogs and have a neoplastic etiology in about ha lf the cases or more. With tamponade, pericardiocentesis must be performed rapidly in order to restitute normal hemodynamic conditions. We document a case of tamponade and its treatment with a simplified rapid puncture of the pericardial sac with a large catheter, and the ensuing passive emptying of pericardial fluid into the pleural space, with evidence of reexpansion of the right atrium and right ventricle. It appears to be a simple, rapid and effective method.