Evaluation of the diagnostic value of an implantable loop recorder in dogs with unexplained syncope.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic value of an implantable loop recorder (ILR) in dogs with unexplained syncope. DESIGN: Prospective case series. ANIMALS: 12 dogs with recurrent unexplained syncope. PROCEDURES: An ILR was surgically inserted in a pocket created in the subcutaneous tissues of the left hemithorax of each dog. The ILRs were programmed for manual and automatic activation, and event analysis and programming were performed at 3-month intervals and after each syncopal episode. RESULTS: The ILR was manually activated in 7 of 12 dogs at least once within 45 to 218 days (median, 120 days) after implantation. Four dogs had syncopal episodes associated with sinus tachycardia followed by sinus bradycardia and asystolic pauses. Two dogs had ventricular tachycardia, and 1 dog had sinus node dysfunction with prolonged sinus arrest that coincided with loss of consciousness and falling. Four dogs had no additional syncopal episodes after implantation of the ILR. In the remaining dog, the owner was unable to activate the ILR during the only syncopal episode observed for that dog after ILR implantation. In all 12 dogs, analysis of ECG traces after automatic activation of recording revealed normal cardiac rhythms. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Data gained after manual activation of an ILR provided valuable diagnostic and prognostic information in almost all dogs with unexplained syncopal episodes by confirming or disproving an association between syncope and arrhythmias. However, detection of disturbances in cardiac rhythm after automatic activation did not appear to improve the diagnostic value for an ILR implanted in dogs.

Video-assisted left partial arytenoidectomy by diode laser photoablation for treatment of canine laryngeal paralysis.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical outcome of left partial arytenoidectomy by video-assisted laser diode photoablation as a surgical treatment for canine laryngeal paralysis (LP). STUDY DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: Dogs with bilateral LP (n=20). METHODS: After endoscopic diagnosis of bilateral LP, left partial arytenoidectomy was performed by photoablation of arytenoid cartilage tissue using a diode laser (600 microm diameter, 15 W power, 980 nm wave length) to increase the width of the rima glottidis. Outcome was evaluated endoscopically (1 and 6 months) and clinically (1, 6, and 12 months). RESULTS: No substantial complications occurred during photoablation or in the immediate postoperative period. Postoperative width of the rima glottidis ranged from 6 to 10 mm at its widest aspect. At 1 month, respiratory function after walking and short running appeared good. Clinical and endoscopic examination revealed good outcome at 1 and 6 months. At 6 months, there was no evidence of hypertrophic scar, hypertrophic granulation tissue, or stricture of the laryngeal glottis in any dog. Two dogs developed aspiration pneumonia after 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Partial arytenoidectomy using video-assisted diode laser photoablation appears to be an effective technique for treating LP. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Partial arytenoidectomy by diode laser photoablation should be considered as an alternative technique for treatment of canine LP.