Echocardiographic and electrocardiographic effects of atenolol versus sotalol in dogs with severe subaortic stenosis.

BACKGROUND: Subaortic stenosis (SAS) is a commonly diagnosed canine congenital cardiac defect, with severe forms of carrying a poor long-term prognosis. To date, an effective treatment strategy has not been developed in veterinary medicine. This study sought to determine if sotalol, a class III antiarrhythmic, may have salient echocardiographic and antiarrhythmic benefits for medical management for dogs affected with severe SAS. METHODS: Ten dogs diagnosed with severe SAS were enrolled in this prospective, double-blinded, crossover study. Dogs underwent physical exam, non-invasive blood pressure measurement, electrocardiography, echocardiography, and 24-h Holter monitoring. Diagnostics were repeated 12-16 days following randomization to oral atenolol (0.5-1 mg/kg) or sotalol (1-2 mg/kg) twice daily. After a medication taper and four-day washout, dogs were crossed-over to the alternate study medication, and the diagnostics were repeated in 12-16 days. Linear and multinomial mixed models were developed to evaluate the effects of treatments on echocardiographic and electrocardiographic variables. RESULTS: Indices of left ventricular systolic function were reduced based on the volumetric assessment when dogs received sotalol compared to atenolol. No difference was noted between groups in left ventricular systolic function based on the linear assessment. No difference was observed in the reduction in left ventricular outflow tract velocity. No significant differences were observed between treatment groups for any variable on 24-h Holter monitor. CONCLUSIONS: Sotalol may be a viable therapy to consider for dogs with severe SAS based on this pilot study. A larger, prospective study is necessary to investigate further.

Single left coronary ostium with a prepulmonic right coronary artery course in a French Bulldog with congenital valvular pulmonary stenosis.

A two-year-old, male castrated, French bulldog was presented for evaluation of coronary artery anatomy before balloon valvuloplasty for severe pulmonic valve stenosis. Multidetector computed tomography angiography showed a single left coronary ostium, absent right coronary ostium, and an anomalous, prepulmonic coursing right coronary artery. Medical management was elected to avoid the attendant risk associated with intervention. This case report documented the first known case of this specific anomaly in French bulldogs. Veterinary cardiologists should be aware of the potential for this specific coronary artery anomaly in this breed, given the predilection for the development of pulmonary stenosis. Routine screening of French bulldogs for anomalous, prepulmonic coronary arteries is recommended before interventional balloon valvuloplasty.

Perceptual type error in everyday practice.

Discrepancy or quality improvement meetings are good practice and are now commonplace in most Radiology Departments, with the aim of improving diagnostic accuracy, preventing recurrent and common mistakes, improving the radiological report and thereby improving patient care. A total of 122 cases were assessed from a two-year period. This review highlights some of the more common, recurrent and important issues encountered within a general hospital with an emphasis on learning points and review areas.

Imaging of testicular tumours.

This article reviews the diagnosis, pathology and imaging of testicular tumours, predominantly germ cell tumours. It will discuss the imaging techniques used in their diagnosis, staging and surveillance.