dvm360.com: Pericardial Disease - The Forgotten Cardiac Malady

Diseases primarily affecting the pericardium account for approximately 5% of all patients with cardiovascular disease. Although primary pericardial disease represents a small percentage of the total number of cardiac diseases in small animals, it is an important cause of right heart failure in dogs. Primary pericardial disease in cats is uncommon; most frequently representing a sequalae of primary myocardial disease. Several types of primary and secondary pericardial diseases occur, the most common of which are those resulting in pericardial effusion.

Matthew W. Miller, DVM, MS, DACVIM (Cardiology) earned both a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Master of Science degree from The Ohio State University. He completed a small animal medicine and surgery internship at the West Los Angeles Veterinary Medical Group and a cardiology residency at The Ohio State University. He is a diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Cardiology). Dr. Miller has served as a faculty member at Texas A&M University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences where he achieved the position of full professor with tenure. He is currently the founding medical director and staff cardiologist at the Animal Medical and Surgical Center in Scottsdale, Arizona, and Thrive Pet Healthcare’s National Specialty Director of Cardiology.