Congenital Pericardial Diseases

Abstract

Congenital pericardial diseases or defects are rarely reported in small animals, probably because they do not induce a clinical condition. Most of the time, congenital pericardial diseases are diagnosed at the time of necropsy. Absence of the pericardium is rare in dogs and cats. Pericardial defects are typically associated with other congenital defects. Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia is the most common congenital pericardial defect in dogs and cats. As a result of the defect, abdominal contents can migrate into the pericardial sac. Pericardial cysts have been described mostly in companion animals aged under 3 years. Cysts are either unilocular or multilocular masses. Dogs with pericardial cysts may show no clinical signs or may present with signs related to cardiac tamponade. If cardiac tamponade is due to excessive pericardial fluid, pericardiocentesis or cystocentesis is required before surgery.