Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 10, 2026
10:08
Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine
Published on: February 17, 2018
Clinical findings in 28 cattle with traumatic pericarditis
U Braun1, B Lejeune, G Schweizer
1Department of Farm Animals, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 260, CH-8057 Zürich, Switzerland.
The Veterinary Record
|October 24, 2007
Summary
Postmortem examination confirmed traumatic pericarditis in cattle exhibiting elevated heart rates and jugular distension. Clinical signs and laboratory tests, including the glutaraldehyde test, aided diagnosis, though misdiagnoses occurred.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Pathology
- Bovine Medicine
- Cardiovascular Diseases in Animals
Background:
- Traumatic pericarditis is a significant condition in cattle, often leading to severe clinical signs.
- Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective management and treatment of bovine heart conditions.
- Clinical and laboratory findings associated with traumatic pericarditis require detailed investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical and laboratory findings in cattle diagnosed with traumatic pericarditis postmortem.
- To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of clinical signs and laboratory tests for traumatic pericarditis in cattle.
- To identify potential misdiagnoses in cases of traumatic pericarditis.
Main Methods:
- Postmortem confirmation of traumatic pericarditis in 28 cattle.
- Analysis of clinical signs including heart rate, jugular vein distension, heart sounds, and edema.
- Evaluation of laboratory findings such as glutaraldehyde test clotting time, leucocytosis, fibrinogen, gamma-glutamyl transferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and bilirubin concentrations.
Main Results:
- Confirmed traumatic pericarditis in 28 cattle, with common signs including heart rate >100 bpm (24/28), distended jugular veins (24/28), and abnormal heart sounds (20/28 muffled, 10/28 pericardial).
- Key laboratory findings included reduced glutaraldehyde test clotting time (26/28), leucocytosis (22/28), and elevated fibrinogen (19/28).
- Definitive diagnosis was made in 15/28 animals based on typical signs; 8/28 were suspected cases, and 5/28 were misdiagnosed (valvular endocarditis or traumatic reticuloperitonitis).
Conclusions:
- Clinical and laboratory findings, particularly the glutaraldehyde test, are valuable in diagnosing traumatic pericarditis in cattle.
- Careful evaluation of clinical signs is essential to avoid misdiagnosis, as some characteristic signs may be absent.
- Traumatic pericarditis should be considered in cattle presenting with relevant cardiovascular and systemic signs.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Pericarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Pericarditis is distinguished by inflammation of the pericardium, the fibrous sac that encases the heart. It can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, persisting for over three months. Understanding its clinical manifestations and diagnostic findings is crucial for timely and effective management.Clinical ManifestationsWhile pericarditis can be asymptomatic, it usually presents with characteristic symptoms such as:Chest Pain: The most characteristic symptom of pericarditis is chest...
01:27Myocarditis II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests
Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle. The symptoms vary widely, encompassing asymptomatic presentations to severe, acute manifestations.Clinical PresentationAsymptomatic cases: In some instances, myocarditis may be asymptomatic, with the infection resolving without intervention. These cases often go undetected unless discovered incidentally through diagnostic imaging or tests conducted for other reasons.General Early Symptoms: Early symptoms of myocarditis are non-specific and can...
01:22Pericarditis I: Introduction
Pericarditis is defined as the inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. This condition can cause significant chest pain and other symptoms, often necessitating medical intervention. The pericardium has two layers: the inner visceral layer and the outer parietal layer, separated by a small amount of fluid that reduces friction during heartbeats.Types of PericarditisPericarditis can be classified into several types based on the duration and nature of the...
01:25Pericarditis IV: Nursing Management
Pericarditis, an inflammation of the pericardium, necessitates diligent nursing management to ensure effective patient care and recovery. The initial step in managing pericarditis is a comprehensive patient medical assessment.The patient reports chest pain aggravated by breathing, coughing, and swallowing, which worsens when lying supine. The pain often improves when sitting up and leaning forward. Additional symptoms may include fever, malaise, and, in severe cases, signs of heart failure.
01:17Pericarditis III: Medical Management
The primary objectives of managing pericarditis are to determine the underlying cause, provide effective therapy for treatment and symptom relief, and promptly detect signs and symptoms of cardiac tamponade. The following outlines the essential aspects of medical management for pericarditis:ObjectivesDetermine the Cause: Identifying the underlying cause of pericarditis is crucial for targeted treatment. Causes include viral infections, autoimmune diseases, post-cardiac injury syndrome, and...
01:25Endocarditis II: Clinical Features of Infective Endocarditis
Endocarditis can present various clinical features depending on the causative organism and the patient's underlying health conditions. Initially, the clinical features of infective endocarditis develop gradually, presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can be easily mistaken for other illnesses.General SymptomsEarly symptoms of infective endocarditis are fever, chills, weakness, malaise, fatigue, and weight loss. These symptoms reflect the systemic nature of the infection and the body's...