Case report on surgical management of a pericardial effusion and subsequent pericardectomy

Abstract

A 7-year-old, neutered, female Labrador Retriever was admitted as an emergency referral on the diagnosis of a recurrent pericardial effusion. Following a pericardiocentesis, a subtotal pericardectomy was consequently performed. Nursing care for this patient was focused on the post-operative monitoring including the maintenance of the thoracostomy tube, indwelling urinary catheter, arterial catheter and continual assessment of the analgesia protocol. The patient subsequently recovered well and was discharged 4 days post operation.