Ventricular fibrillation during thoracoscopic pericardiectomy in a St. Bernard dog

Abstract

Ventricular fibrillation is one of the known complications of pericardiectomy in veterinary medicine. We present a case of ventricular fibrillation occurring during thoracoscopic pericardiectomy in a 2‐year‐old St. Bernard dog. Despite prompt recognition, immediate resuscitation efforts‐based chest compressions and mechanical ventilation, drug administration and defibrillation (external using 200 J, using 50 J internally subsequently), the dog died. The suspected cause of ventricular fibrillation was related to the use of an electrosurgical device. The challenges encountered during resuscitation and possible reasons for the delayed success of defibrillation are discussed in this report. Electrical safety and the implications during thoracoscopy underscore the importance of the development and the mechanisms underlying ventricular fibrillation during thoracoscopic pericardiectomy.