Cardiac tamponade during catheterization of a dog with congenital heart disease.

Perforation of the heart, which was confirmed by contrast radiography, occurred during venous cardiac catheterization of a dog. As tamponade developed within the next hour, changing physical signs (progressive muffling of heart sounds and murmur, disappearance of a precordial thrill, fall in blood pressure, and increase in heart rate with a weakening pulse) indicated the need for surgical relief in spite of insignificant fluoroscopic evidence. Treatment by thoracotomy, pericardiotomy, and blood replacement was successful. Evidence of a bidirectional ventricular septal defect and probable pulmonic stenosis was observed in angiocardiograms made an hour after the thoracotomy. The dog was discharged in good condition 12 days later. Examination 3 months later revealed no after effects of the cardiac catheterization and thoracotomy. Disciplines Cardiology | Medicine and Health Sciences | Veterinary Medicine Comments Appendix 6.10 of James W. Buchanan's dissertation Chronic Valve Disease and Left Atrial Splitting in the Dog This journal article is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/vet_papers/57 Reprint from the JOURNAL of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Vol. J49, No.8, Oct. J5, J966, pp. J056·66. Cardiac Tamponade During Catheterization of a Dog with Congenital Heart Di sease 1. W. Buchanan, D.V.M., and R. L. Pyle, V.M.D.