113 research outputs found
Sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver variability of survey thoracic radiography for the detection of heart base masses in dogs
No full textOBJECTIVE To determine the sensitivity, specificity, and interobserver variability of survey thoracic radiography (STR) for the detection of heart base masses (HBMs) in dogs. DESIGN Retrospective case-control study. ANIMALS 30 dogs with an HBM and 120 breed-matched control dogs (60 healthy dogs and 60 dogs with heart disease and no HBM). PROCEDURES In a blinded manner, 2 observers (designated as A and B) evaluated STR views from each dog for a mass-like opacity cranial to the heart, tracheal deviation, cardiomegaly, findings suggestive of pericardial effusion or right-sided congestive heart failure, and soft tissue opacities suggestive of pulmonary metastases. Investigators subsequently provided a final interpretation of each dog's HBM status (definitely affected, equivocal, or definitely not affected). RESULTS Considering equivocal interpretation as negative or positive for an HBM, the sensitivity of STR for diagnosis of an HBM was 40.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 22.5% to 57.5%) and 56.7% (95% CI, 38.9% to 74.4%), respectively, for observer A and 63% (95% CI, 46.1% to 80.6%) and 80.0% (95% CI, 65.7% to 94.3%), respectively, for observer B. The corresponding specificity was 96.7% (95% CI, 93.5% to 99.9%) and 92.5% (95% CI, 87.8% to 97.2%), respectively, for observer A and 99.2% (95% CI, 97.5% to 100%) and 92.5% (95% CI, 87.8% to 97.2%), respectively, for observer B. The presence of a mass-like opacity cranial to the heart or tracheal deviation, or both, was significantly associated with a true diagnosis of HBM. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results indicated that STR is a highly specific but not a highly sensitive predictor of HBM in dogs
Orthodromic atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia conducted with intraventricular conduction disturbance mimicking ventricular tachycardia in an English Bulldog.
No full textElectrocardiographic tracings of an English Bulldog referred for cardiogenic shock due to an orthodromic atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia conducted with intraventricular conduction disturbance and mimicking ventricular tachycardia (VT) are presented. At admission the surface ECG showed a wide QRS complex tachycardia (WCT) that was converted to sinus rhythm using manual cardioversion (chest thump). This change revealed pre-existing right bundle branch block, and a final diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) with intraventricular conduction disturbance was made. Electrophysiologic study defined the SVT mechanism as an atrioventricular macroreentrant tachycardia mediated by a single mid-septal accessory pathway. The differentiation between various types of WCT is essential when antiarrhythmic therapy is considered. The surface ECG should be systematically evaluated in order to recognize the characteristic features of SVT and VT. Moreover chest thump procedure can be very helpful in the attempt to convert the rhythm to sinus rhythm and to correctly recognize the underlying arrhythmia. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved
La cardiomiopatia aritmogena del ventricolo destro nel Bulldog Inglese: Una patologia emergente
No full textArrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy is a familial heart disease characterized by a progressive replacement of myocardium with fibro-fatty tissue. These structural changes are accompanied by functional changes with the onset of ventricular arrhythmias and myocardial dysfunction. In veterinary medicine, this disease has been reported sporadically in several canine and feline breeds, while in the Boxer breed the ultra-structural alterations, genetic transmission, and clinical and instrumental findings of the disease have been extensively described. Recently arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy has also been recognized in the English Bulldog, with distinctive features such as the presence of monomorphic ventricular tachycardia with left bundle branch block morphology and an incessant behaviour and the presence, in two thirds of affected dogs, of a segmental form with aneurysms of the right ventricular outflow tract. The purpose of the present manuscript is to describe clinical and instrumental findings of this disease in English Bulldog comparing them with those reported in Boxer breed dogs
Prognostic value of echocardiographic indices of left atrial morphology and function in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease
Full text linkBackground: The prognostic relevance of left atrial (LA) morphological and functional variables, including those derived from speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), has been little investigated in veterinary medicine. Objectives: To assess the prognostic value of several echocardiographic variables, with a focus on LA morphological and functional variables in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Animals: One-hundred and fifteen dogs of different breeds with MMVD. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Conventional morphologic and echo-Doppler variables, LA areas and volumes, and STE-based LA strain analysis were performed in all dogs. A survival analysis was performed to test for the best echocardiographic predictors of cardiac-related death. Results: Most of the tested variables, including all LA STE-derived variables were univariate predictors of cardiac death in Cox proportional hazard analysis. Because of strong correlation between many variables, only left atrium to aorta ratio (LA/Ao > 1.7), mitral valve E wave velocity (MV E vel > 1.3 m/s), LA maximal volume (LAVmax > 3.53 mL/kg), peak atrial longitudinal strain (PALS < 30%), and contraction strain index (CSI per 1% increase) were entered in the univariate analysis, and all were predictors of cardiac death. However, only the MV E vel (hazard ratio [HR], 4.45; confidence interval [CI], 1.76-11.24; P <.001) and LAVmax (HR, 2.32; CI, 1.10-4.89; P =.024) remained statistically significant in the multivariable analysis. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: The assessment of LA dimension and function provides useful prognostic information in dogs with MMVD. Considering all the LA variables, LAVmax appears the strongest predictor of cardiac death, being superior to LA/Ao and STE-derived variables
Non-invasive evaluation of the haemodynamic effects of high-dose medetomidine in healthy cats for semen collection
No full textOBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess non-invasively the cardiovascular effects of high-dose medetomidine on healthy male cats undergoing semen collection. METHODS Haemodynamic evaluations were assessed on the basis of clinical examination, systolic arterial pressure (SAP) and transthoracic echocardiographic examination. Eight client owned, male domestic shorthair cats were sedated with a bolus of medetomidine intramuscularly (IM; 0.13 mg/kg), and semen collection was performed. A second transthoracic echocardiographic examination and SAP measurement were carried out 15 mins after sedation. At the end of the examination, the patients received a bolus of atipamezole (0.3 mg/kg) IM. RESULTS The cats were deeply sedated, relaxed and laterally recumbent during the entire procedure. No rhythm abnormalities were observed during the examinations and no significant increase in SAP was recorded. Heart rate dropped from 200 ± 33 to 92 ± 13.1 beats per min after sedation. There was a significant increase in left ventricular dimensions and the left atrial area. The parameters of left ventricular systolic function were reduced, as were systemic and pulmonary cardiac outputs. Peak diastolic wave velocities were significantly reduced, while isovolumic contraction and relaxation time of the left ventricle were prolonged. Aortic valve insufficiency was recorded for all cats, while mitral valve insufficiency was noted in five cats. None of the subjects developed systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE The protocol allowed us to collect good semen samples in healthy cats. However, high-dose medetomidine induces significant haemodynamic effects on the feline heart, mainly due to a reduced heart rate, an increased cardiac preload and impaired systolic function. The animals recovered from the anaesthesia, after antagonist administration, without showing any clinically relevant consequences
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