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== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

This is a condition where blood accumulates in the pericardial sac.

This is a condition where blood accumulates in the pericardial sac.

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Causes of haemopericardium can be due to intrapericardial aortic rupture, causing sudden influx of blood into the pericardium, cardiac tamponade and death. This occurs spontaneously in horses, and occurs in pigs with a copper deficiancy. In dogs, rupture of a right atrial haemoangiosarcoma or rarely, rupture of the left atrial wall due to 'jet lesions' associated with endocardiosis, is a cause of the condition.

Causes of haemopericardium can be due to intrapericardial aortic rupture, causing sudden influx of blood into the pericardium, cardiac tamponade and death. This occurs spontaneously in horses, and occurs in pigs with a copper deficiency. In dogs, rupture of a right atrial haemoangiosarcoma or rarely, rupture of the left atrial wall due to 'jet lesions' associated with [[Endocardiosis|endocardiosis]], is a cause of the condition.

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== Clinical Signs ==

== Clinical Signs ==

In cases of haemopericardium, the causes of the condition tend to be sudden, therefore the only clinical sign in most cases is sudden death. If build up of blood is slow, then signs of right congestive heart failure will be seen, such as ascites, jugluar distension, jugular pulse, hepatomegaly and lethargy.

In cases of haemopericardium, the causes of the condition tend to be sudden, therefore the only clinical sign in most cases is sudden death. If build up of blood is slow, then signs of right congestive [[:Category:Heart Failure|heart failure]] will be seen, such as ascites, jugular distension, jugular pulse, hepatomegaly and lethargy.

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History and clinical signs can be indicative of the condition.  

History and clinical signs can be indicative of the condition.  

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If the animal is alive, then pericardiocentesis can be used to determine what type of fluid is present in the pericardial sac. Ultrasound will show fluid in the pericardium and compression of the right ventricle and radiography will show and enlarged cardiac silhouette, indicating the presence of fluid.

If the animal is alive, then pericardiocentesis can be used to determine what type of fluid is present in the pericardial sac. Ultrasound will show fluid in the pericardium and compression of the right ventricle and radiography will show an enlarged cardiac silhouette, indicating the presence of fluid.

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If the animal presented with sudden death, then a post mortem will diagnose the condition. There will be clotted blood surrounding the heart in the pericardial sac.

If the animal presented with sudden death, then a post mortem will diagnose the condition. There will be clotted blood surrounding the heart in the pericardial sac.

== Treatment and Control ==

== Treatment and Control ==

The only effective way to treat animals with pericardial effusions is pericardicentesis. This will relieve clinical signs even when only one thrid of the fluid is drained. This requires ECG moitoring throughout and for it to be ultrasound guided if possible.

The only effective way to treat animals with pericardial effusions is pericardicentesis. This will relieve clinical signs even when only one third of the fluid is drained. This requires ECG monitoring throughout and for it to be ultrasound guided if possible.

In cases of recurrent pericardial effusion, a pericardectomy can be performed as a palliative measure to reduce the amount of recurrence.

 

In cases of recurrent pericardial effusion, a pericardectomy can be performed as a palliative measure to reduce the number of recurrence.

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[[Pericardial Pathology Flashcards]]

[[Pericardial Pathology Flashcards]]

[[Category:Pericardial_Pathology]]

[[Category:Pericardial_Pathology]][[Category:Cardiovascular Diseases - Horse]][[Category:Cardiovascular Diseases - Pig]][[Category:Cardiovasular Diseases - Dog]]

[[Category:To_Do_-_Review]]

[[Category:Expert_Review]]