Pacemaker implant in a dog with sick sinus syndrome

Background: Sick sinus syndrome is characterized by the presence of arrhythmias, including persistent sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest and paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhythmia. It commonly occurs in elderly dogs, especially miniature schnauzers; however, it is also detected in dachshunds and pugs. Reports of clinical signs by animal owners are not always clear and precise, which may result in erroneous interpretations by veterinarians; consequently, the use of inappropriate therapies. The present work aims to describe clinical aspects and findings from tests related to sick sinus syndrome (SSS) and presents the case of a female schnauzer with SSS. Case: A 10-year-old female dog (schnauzer, 8.6 kg) attended the Veterinary Hospital of the FMVZ-UNESP - Botucatu. The owner mentioned convulsive episodes, but a thorough medical history and patient assessment revealed that the dog exhibited episodes of syncope. During the physical examination, cardiac auscultation revealed the heart rate to be 56 beats per minute (bpm), and there was a presence of pauses. Also during cardiac auscultation, a holosystolic heart murmur was verified, with a focus on the mitral and tricuspid valves. The electrocardiogram showed the presence of sinus arrest with escape rhythms, pauses of 10 s and the presence of bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome. A Holter monitor was used to establish the diagnosis of SSS. The patient presented with significant episodes of syncope during outpatient care, and based on the clinical manifestation, drug therapy was initiated. The prescribed medications were aminophylline 20 mg/ kg TID, enalapril maleate 0.5 mg/kg BID, spironolactone 1 mg/kg SID and furosemide 2 mg/kg BID. After the start of treatment, there was a reduction in the frequency of episodes of syncope. Three weeks after diagnosis, a pacemaker device was implanted. Currently, clinical signs are absent. Discussion: Sinus node dysfunction is one of the main reasons for pacemaker implantation. […](AU)

Pacemaker implant in a dog with sick sinus syndrome

Background: Sick sinus syndrome is characterized by the presence of arrhythmias, including persistent sinus bradycardia, sinus arrest and paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhythmia. It commonly occurs in elderly dogs, especially miniature schnauzers; however, it is also detected in dachshunds and pugs. Reports of clinical signs by animal owners are not always clear and precise, which may result in erroneous interpretations by veterinarians; consequently, the use of inappropriate therapies. The present work aims to describe clinical aspects and findings from tests related to sick sinus syndrome (SSS) and presents the case of a female schnauzer with SSS. Case: A 10-year-old female dog (schnauzer, 8.6 kg) attended the Veterinary Hospital of the FMVZ-UNESP - Botucatu. The owner mentioned convulsive episodes, but a thorough medical history and patient assessment revealed that the dog exhibited episodes of syncope. During the physical examination, cardiac auscultation revealed the heart rate to be 56 beats per minute (bpm), and there was a presence of pauses. Also during cardiac auscultation, a holosystolic heart murmur was verified, with a focus on the mitral and tricuspid valves. The electrocardiogram showed the presence of sinus arrest with escape rhythms, pauses of 10 s and the presence of bradycardia-tachycardia syndrome. A Holter monitor was used to establish the diagnosis of SSS. The patient presented with significant episodes of syncope during outpatient care, and based on the clinical manifestation, drug therapy was initiated. The prescribed medications were aminophylline 20 mg/ kg TID, enalapril maleate 0.5 mg/kg BID, spironolactone 1 mg/kg SID and furosemide 2 mg/kg BID. After the start of treatment, there was a reduction in the frequency of episodes of syncope. Three weeks after diagnosis, a pacemaker device was implanted. Currently, clinical signs are absent. Discussion: Sinus node dysfunction is one of the main reasons for pacemaker implantation. […]

Uso do monitor de evento cardíaco implantável para a avaliação de síncopes em um cão - relato de caso / Use of implantable cardiac loop recorder for evaluation of syncope in the dog - case report

Monitores de evento cardíaco são pequenos aparelhos desenvolvidos para serem implantados no paciente e permanecerem por longos períodos de tempo. Estes pequenos aparelhos gravam em derivação única, um traçado eletrocardiográfico, e são amplamente utilizados em medicina para o diagnóstico de síncopes eventuais. Este artigo descreve o uso do monitor de evento cardíaco implantável no auxílio do diagnóstico da causa de síncope em um cão.

Loop recorders are small devices developed to be implanted in the patient for long period of time. These small devices record in single lead electrocardiogram and are widely used in medicine for the diagnosis of eventual syncope. This paper describes the use of the implantable loop recorder as a diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of syncope in a dog.

Uso do monitor de evento cardíaco implantável para a avaliação de síncopes em um cão - relato de caso / Use of implantable cardiac loop recorder for evaluation of syncope in the dog - case report

Monitores de evento cardíaco são pequenos aparelhos desenvolvidos para serem implantados no paciente e permanecerem por longos períodos de tempo. Estes pequenos aparelhos gravam em derivação única, um traçado eletrocardiográfico, e são amplamente utilizados em medicina para o diagnóstico de síncopes eventuais. Este artigo descreve o uso do monitor de evento cardíaco implantável no auxílio do diagnóstico da causa de síncope em um cão.AU

Loop recorders are small devices developed to be implanted in the patient for long period of time. These small devices record in single lead electrocardiogram and are widely used in medicine for the diagnosis of eventual syncope. This paper describes the use of the implantable loop recorder as a diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of syncope in a dog.AU