[Diaphragmatic rupture in the domestic cat--pathophysiology and anesthesia complications]

The high mortality in animals with diaphragmatic hernia has been related to profound cardiopulmonary dysfunction. Shock, liver disease and renal failure are among the most common causes of death. 18 cats with traumatic diaphragmatic hernia were anaesthetized. The duration of diaphragmatic hernia ranged from a few hours to 9 months. With the exception of transient cardiac dysrhythmias or weak pulse pressures which occurred in some cats only, anaesthesia was uneventful in 14 cats. Four cats out of 18 died either during surgery (n = 2) or within the following 24 hours (n = 2). Pathophysiology and anesthetic management in cats with diaphragmatic hernia are discussed.