Low output, weakness or collapse can result from the overzealous use of diuretics in cardiac tamponade. Pericardiocentesis is the initial treatment in all cases. As the fluid is withdrawn, the ECG amplitudes increase and the arterial pulse improves. If additional fluid does not accumulate, evidence of systemic congestion usually disappears in 1-3 days. For idiopathic effusions, this may be curative or several centeses may be required.
Some idiopathic cases continue to reoccur and require pericardiectomy.
The administration of corticosteroids to prevent recurrence may be considered, but this has not been thoroughly evaluated in animals. Acute hemopericardium from trauma, cardiac rupture or neoplasm which recurs rapidly following pericardiocentesis. A very guarded prognosis is indicated in infective pericarditis, even if the organism is susceptible to common antibiotics. Constrictive pericarditis often results and may be extremely difficult to treat surgically. This condition, of unknown etiology, is most often encountered in medium to large breed dog.