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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.

 

Fluid accumulation within the pericardial sac may lead to fibrous thickening and opacity of the pericardium if prolonged.  Villous proliferation of the serosa will occur due to the irritation caused by the presence of the fluid.

Fluid accumulation within the pericardial sac may lead to fibrous thickening and opacity of the pericardium if prolonged.  Villous proliferation of the serosa will occur due to the irritation caused by the presence of the fluid.

 

Large volumes of blood within the pericardial sac may cause [[Cardiac Tamponade|cardiac tamponade]].

Large volumes of blood within the pericardial sac may cause [[Cardiac Tamponade|cardiac tamponade]].

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.

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.

== 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 [[:Category:Heart Failure|heart failure]] will be seen, such as ascites, jugular 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.

== Diagnosis ==

== Diagnosis ==

History and clinical signs can be indicative of the condition.  

History and clinical signs can be indicative of the condition.  

 

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.

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.

 

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 ==

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

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

 

== References ==

== References ==

Boswood, A. (2008) Cardiovascular System Study Guide, Royal Veterinary College.

Boswood, A. (2008) '''Cardiovascular System Study Guide,''''' Royal Veterinary College.''

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Ettinger, S.J. and Feldman, E. C. (2000) Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine Diseases of the Dog and Cat Volume 2 (Fifth Edition), W.B. Saunders Company.

Ettinger, S.J. and Feldman, E. C. (2000)''' Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine Diseases of the Dog and Cat Volume 2 '''(Fifth Edition), ''W.B. Saunders Company.''

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Fossum, T. W. et. al. (2007) Small Animal Surgery (Third Edition), Mosby Elsevier.

Fossum, T. W. et. al. (2007) '''Small Animal Surgery '''(Third Edition), ''Mosby Elsevier.''

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Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) Equine Internal Medicine (Third Edition), Saunders.  

Reed, S.M, Bayly, W.M. and Sellon, D.C (2010) '''Equine Internal Medicine '''(Third Edition), ''Saunders. ''

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Symth, B (2008) Cardiovascular System Study Guide, Royal Veterinary College.

Symth, B (2008) '''Cardiovascular System Study Guide,''''' Royal Veterinary College.''

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Taylor, D.J. (2006) Pig Diseases (Eighth edition), St Edmunsdbury Press ltd.  

Taylor, D.J. (2006) '''Pig Diseases (Eighth edition), '''''St Edmunsdbury Press ltd. ''

 

 

 

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

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

[[Category:Expert_Review]]

[[Category:Expert_Review]]