Characterizing M-mode Echocardiography Findings in Bovines Diagnosed with Pseudopericarditis: A Diagnostic Approach

• DOI: 10.18805/ijar.b-5509
• Publication Date: 2025-04-28T08:08:17Z
• Authors: Shabnam Sidhu; S.K. Uppal; S.S. Randhawa

Background: Pseudopericarditis is a rare phenomenon encountered in day to day clinical practice. A handful of reports have been introduced on pseudopericarditis due to theleriosis. This case study is first of its type that aims to describe the echocardiographic characteristics in cattle and buffaloes with pseudopericarditis due to pulmonary and hepatic hydatid cysts. Methods: The selected animals were presented with clinical signs mimicking that of cardiac insufficiency i.e. brisket edema, jugular engorgement, open mouth breathing, however they did not show any cardiac abnormality upon physical and cardiovascular examination. Thoracic and abdominal ultrasound revealed presence of cystic densities in lungs and/ or liver. These cases were further evaluated using M-mode echocardiography to access the functioning of heart and to see the effect of existing cysts on cardiac function. Result: This study constitutes the first report on various changes in M-mode echocardiographic parameters in bovines affected with lung and/or liver cysts. M-mode echocardiographic findings were significantly reduced left ventricular internal diameter in both systole and diastole, significantly reduced left ventricular end diastolic and systolic volumes and further significant increase in left ventricular contractility indices as these are directly dependent on the dimensions of the left ventricle as compared to healthy cattle and buffaloes. From the present study it was inferred that presence of single or multiple cysts in the thoracic cavity or hepatic parenchyma by putting pressure at the base of the cranial and caudal vena cava leads to the clinical signs similar to that of cardiac insufficiency. It is further documented that changes in echocardiographic parameters are only seen when there is direct compression of the heart due to the presence of cysts.