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Updated: Jul 27, 2026

Testing the Efficacy of Pharmacological Agents in a Pericardial Target Delivery Model in the Swine
Published on: July 7, 2016
Surgical treatment of idiopathic pericardial effusion in the dog: 25 cases (1978-1993)
1Department of Surgery, Angell Memorial Animal Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02130, USA.
Abstract:
Twenty-five cases of canine idiopathic pericardial effusion are described. All were treated surgically and underwent thoracotomy and pericardectomy, with histopathological evaluation of the resected pericardial sac. No tumor, infection, granulation tissue, or foreign body was found. Thirteen of the 25 dogs were golden retrievers, and all were large or giant breeds. Three (12%) died in the immediate postoperative period, and four (16%) died within one year of signs possibly related to the original condition. Eighteen (72%) survived at least 18 months; seven died or were euthanized for reasons unrelated to pericardial effusion (median, 44 months); and 11 were still alive at last contact (median, 61 months).
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