Alterations in cardiac motion due to the flotation effect of CO2 in the right atrium in the presence of pericardial effusion.

Abstract

Various technics are being used to diagnose the presence of pericardial effusion. Among these are echocardiography, positive contrast angiography, cineradiographic study of epicardial fat lines, and CO2 angiography. The last of these is still a commonly-used diagnostic tool. A canine experimental model (1) was employed to evaluate the reason for the reported false negative results from this technic (2). Methods and Materials Eight mongrel dogs were used in this study. A small bore Silastic tube was introduced into the pericardium via a left thoracotomy. The small hole through which the catheter was introduced into the pericardium was closed by a purse-string suture. The catheter was then brought out of the chest through a subcutaneous tunnel, and its tip was dosed. The dogs were returned to the animal facilities for at least two days or until the pericardial gas, which accumulated during the surgery, had been resorbed. The dogs were then studied in the left lateral decubitus position (right side up). A ho...