Pericardiectomia parcial toracoscópica em um cão

Abstract

The pericardial effusion in dogs is frequently idiopathic or secondary to neoplasia. Fluid accumulation causes increased intrapericardial pressure and hemodynamic alterations. A surgical treatment through thoracoscopic partial pericardect omy in a dog with recurrent pericardial effusion is described. To the authors’ knowledge, this technique has not been reported for clinical use in Brazil. An 11-year-old male Akita was presented at the Hospital de Clinicas Veterinarias of UFRGS with clinical signs compatible to pericardial effusion, which was confirmed through complementary exams (thoracic radiography, electrocardiography and echocardiography). After two pericardiocentesis with recurrence of fluid accumulation, the patient was submitted to intercostal thoracoscopy for performing partial pericardectomy. The patient died 76 days post-surgery; however it was not due to pericardial effusion. The procedure was technically successful. In the present report, the minimally invasive su rgery was easy and rapid to perform, and with no significant postoperative complications.