Survival times of and prognostic indicators for dogs with heart base masses: 25 cases (1986-1999)

Objective-To determine survival times of and prognostic indicators for dogs with heart base masses. Design-Retrospective study, Animals-25 dogs. Procedure-Medical records were reviewed to obtain information regarding sig nalment; initial complaint; results of physical examination, radiography, e lectrocardiography, and echocardiography; surgical findings; medical and su rgical treatment; outcome; necropsy findings; survival time; and cause of d eath. Results-Survival time ranged from 0 to 1,096 days (mean, 213 days; median, 57 days). None of the variables examined, including initial complaints and results of physical examination, radiography, electrocardiography, and echo cardiography, were associated with survival time. However, dogs that underw ent pericardectomy had a significantly longer mean survival time (mean +/- SD, 661 +/- 170 days) than did dogs that were treated medically (129 +/- 51 days). Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-Results suggest that dogs with heart bas e masses that undergo pericardectomy may survive longer than those that rec eive medical treatment alone.