Application of transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography in captive chimpanzees (Pan Troglodytes)

Abstract

Eleven cases of non-specific pericarditis occurred in the past twenty years in the chimpanzee population of the Natura Artis Magistra Amsterdam Zoo. It is almost impossible to diagnose pericarditis merely by observation of living chimpanzees. Physical examination can support the diagnosis but is frequently indecisive. In humans, echocardiography is the most accurate non-invasive method for detection of pericardial disease. We, therefore, performed an echocardiographic study to investigate if echocardiographic imaging is feasible in chimpanzees, and if so, would enable identification of pericardial pathology. Application of transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography in chimpanzees is described in this paper.