Accidental cardiac puncture during pericardiocentesis in a dog

Abstract

AbstractA 12‐year‐old, male, neutered, crossbreed dog, with a bodyweight of 7.6 kg, was diagnosed with a moderate volume of pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade using point‐of‐care ultrasound. Initial bloodwork revealed moderate anaemia (packed cell volume 23%) and hyperlactataemia (2.3 mmol/L). During pericardiocentesis, accidental cardiocentesis and drainage of 16.5 mL/kg of blood occurred, resulting in an increased heart rate, hypotension and alterations in the electrocardiogram trace amplitude. The patient received 25 mL/kg of packed red blood cells, and was discharged from hospital the next day. Unfortunately, the pericardial effusion reoccurred 7 days later. The patient was diagnosed with an epicardial mass, and euthanased 48 hours later.