Daesik Kim

Pericardial mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive neoplasm in dogs, typically associated with a poor prognosis and limited treatment options. While chemotherapy is commonly employed, there is limited literature describing successful management without chemotherapeutic intervention. This case report describes a 7-year-old spayed female Pomeranian presenting with acute respiratory distress caused by pericardial effusion. Initial management included pericardiocentesis and medications, but recurrence of the effusion necessitated surgical intervention. Subtotal pericardiectomy was performed, and malignant pericardial mesothelioma was confirmed histopathologically. A thoracic port was implanted postoperatively for ongoing effusion management. The patient remained clinically stable and maintained a good quality of life for 628 days without chemotherapy, supported by regular monitoring and comprehensive symptomatic care. This case highlights that prolonged survival may be achieved through aggressive effusion control and surgical intervention in dogs with pericardial mesothelioma when systemic chemotherapy is not feasible.

Background: Gastric dilatation (GD) and heartworm disease (HW) can significantly impact cardiovascular function, necessitating timely intervention. This study evaluated hemodynamic changes in these conditions using impedance cardiography (ICG), a non-invasive technique for real-time monitoring. Methods: Cardiac parameters were measured using ICG in healthy controls, HW, and GD groups at baseline, during intervention, and post-treatment. Statistical analyses involved repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc comparisons, and relative changes (%) quantified hemodynamic improvements. Results: A significant increase in cardiac index (CI) occurred post-treatment in both HW (+14.71%, p = 0.0102) and GD (+28.53%, p = 0.0336) groups. Cardiac output (CO) exhibited an increasing trend, though without significance (p > 0.05). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) remained stable, although the GD group exhibited an upward trend post decompression (p = 0.1213). Conclusions: Heartworm extraction and gastric decompression induced measurable cardiovascular improvements, with distinct recovery patterns. Non-invasive monitoring effectively captured cardiovascular changes, suggesting its utility as an adjunctive tool in clinical assessment.

Heartworm (HW) disease, caused by Dirofilaria immitis, is a life-threatening ailment in dogs. HW disrupts blood flow and decreases cardiac output (CO). The accurate monitoring of CO during HW extraction is pivotal for patient survival and overall health. Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of using impedance cardiography (ICG) as a non-invasive approach for monitoring CO during interventional HW extraction. Methods: Two cases of HW infections were treated via surgical extraction. The CO and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were monitored using the ICG technique during the anesthesia stabilization, extraction process, and post-extraction phases. Results: In Case 1, the CO increased by 115% post-procedure, and in Case 2, the CO increased by 116%. In contrast, the MAP varied between the two cases. The ICG method provided real-time CO data without major disruptions during the extraction surgery. Conclusion: The ICG technique for CO monitoring during interventional HW extractions is effective.