Left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in a Fila Brasileiro dog

Background: In human medicine, arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy was described as a primary disease of the heart characterized by fibroadipose replacement of the myocardium..Case Description: We report the case of a dog, with history of syncope and irregular cardiac rhythm. Electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and a 24-hour Holter monitoring showed, respectively, the presence of premature ventricular complexes with right bundle branch block morphology, an increase of the left ventricle end-diastolic diameter with preserved fractional shortening and ejection fraction, and a sinus arrhythmia as baseline rhythm with supraventricular tachycardia episodes and ventricular complexes with left bundle branch block morphology. After the death of the canine, a postmortem examination showed cardiomegaly. Fibroadipose replacement of the septum and both ventricles,with left ventricle myocardial fibrosis, suggestive of previous necrosis, was observed.Conclusion: These findings are suggestive of left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been described in veterinary medicine

Electrocardiography in conscious releasable Andean Condors (Vultur gryphus): reference panel and unusual findings

Electrocardiography is a useful tool when included in healthcare protocols and is increasingly utilized for monitoring wild birds. However, the lack of reference data for many species is limiting its clinical value of this technique. In this study twenty-six Andean condors (Vultur gryphus) coming from rehabilitation and captive breeding programs were examined to determine electrocardiographic references prior to being released. Standard bipolar (I, II and III) and augmented unipolar limb (aVR, aVL and aVF) leads were recorded with birds under physical restraint. Five beats were analyzed on Lead II at 50 mm/sec and 1 cm = 1 mV to determine QRS complex morphology, cardiac rhythm, heart rate, P, PR, R, S, QRS, T, QT and ST amplitude and/or duration. P and T wave configuration was determined for all leads, and Mean Electrical Axis (MEA) in the frontal plane was determined using leads I and III. Cardiac rhythm corresponded to regular sinus rhythm in 42% of the birds, with a relevant rate of sinus arrhythmia in 58%, and rS as the most common pattern (42%) for QRS complex in lead II. We found an influence of age and heart rate but not of sex on several ECG waves and intervals. Relevant ECG findings for studied Andean condors include a high rate of Ta, R´ and U wave detection. Waves Ta and R´ were considered non pathological, while the significance of U waves remains unclear. Our results provide a useful reference to improve clinical interpretation of full electrocardiographic examination in Andean condors.Fil: Wiemeyer, Guillermo M.. Jardín Zoológico de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Lambertucci, Sergio Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Patagonia Norte. Instituto de Investigación en Biodiversidad y Medioambiente; ArgentinaFil: Torres Bianchini, Laura. Jardín Zoológico de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Belerenian, Guillermo. Instituto Nacional de Zoonosis "Luis Pasteur"; Argentin

Findings suggestive of coronary microvascular dysfunction in cats with myocardial ischemia

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is an important cause of death and disability among humans worldwide. Few studies have reported the occurrence of MI in small animals as well. Reports in human medicine indicate that up to 30% of patients with clinical signs compatible with myocardial ischemia suggestive of coronary disease exhibit normal epicardial arteries at angiography. These symptoms have been associated with a syndrome characterized by alterations in cardiac microvasculature, known as coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD).Aim: This study aimed to describe the necropsy findings and clinical-pathological characterization (when available) of cats with histopathological findings suggesting CMD.Methods: Necropsy records of cats presenting histopathological diagnosis compatible with acute and/or chronic MI, with normal epicardial arteries and microvascular disorders were evaluated.Results: Twenty animals met the inclusion criteria. Eight cats (40%) exhibited findings compatible with mild hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) without left atrial enlargement, one (5%) presented restrictive cardiomyopathy, and another one (5%) had lesions consistent with histiocytoid cardiomyopathy. The remaining cats (50%) showed alterations compatible with severe HCM with left atrial enlargement. In all cases, epicardial arteries were normal (without obstruction). All the evaluated hearts exhibited myocardial multifocal fibrosis along with replacement of cardiomyocytes by adipose tissue and blood vessels with hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the muscular layer with protrusion of the nuclei of the endothelial cells.Conclusion: These findings suggest the presence of microvascular dysplasia of the coronary arteries. Further studies are necessary to confirm and clinically characterize these results

Successful treatment of an acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema through the use of mechanical ventilation in a feline with concentric hypertrophy and a false tendon in the left ventricle

Objective: Reporting the use of mechanical ventilation for the treatment of acute respiratory failure in a feline patient with acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema. Clinical Case: A 2-year- old castrated female Snowshoe feline suffering from acute dyspnea was referred to the clinic. A 3/6 systolic murmur in the left parasternal region was detected in the physical examination and auscultation also revealed increases in the bronchovesicular sounds. Generalized cardiomegaly and severe increase of lung density in the perihilar region were diagnosed by radiographic evaluation of the chest. The severity of the feline’s respiratory distress, together with the recruitment of accessory muscles and the implied increased risk of respiratory muscle fatigue led us to decide the initiation of mechanical ventilation. Furosemide and topic nitroglycerine were administrated. Twenty four hours after the initiation of mechanical ventilation radiologic examination was repeated and an improvement from the previous study was observed. As a result, weaning the patient from the ventilator was decided. The patient recovered well and 24 hours after being discharged, an echocardiografic evaluation showed concentric left ventricular hypertrophy and a false tendon with insertion from the anterior papillary muscle head to the subaortic endocardium septum across the lumen outflow tract of the left ventricle. Clinical relevance: To the author´s knowledge, it is the first time that the use of mechanical ventilation in feline patients suffering from acute cardiogenic pulmonary edema due to diastolic dysfunction was ever reported.Objetivo: Reportar el empleo de asistencia ventilatoria mecánica para el manejo de la insuficiencia respiratoria aguda en un paciente felino con edema agudo de pulmón de origen cardiogénico Caso Clínico: Un paciente felino de dos años de edad, hembra castrada de raza Snowshoe fue derivado a la clínica por un cuadro de disnea aguda. Al examen físico se detectó un soplo sistólico de intensidad 3/6 a nivel paraesternal izquierdo y se auscultó aumento del murmullo vesicular en ambos campos pulmonares. Se realizó una radiografía de tórax donde se observó cardiomegalia generalizada y aumento severo de la densidad pulmonar a expensas de un patrón alveolar peri-hiliar. Debido al severo cuadro de dificultad respiratoria con reclutamiento de músculos accesorios y al riesgo de fatiga de los músculos respiratorios que esto implica, se decidió iniciar asistencia ventilatoria mecánica (AVM). Se medicó con furosemida y nitroglicerina tópica. A las 24 horas de iniciada la AVM se repitió la radiografía de tórax observándose una mejoría marcada con respecto al estudio anterior por lo que se decidió realizar el destete del ventilador mecánico. El paciente evolucionó favorablemente y a las 24 hs de externado se realizó un ecocardiograma en el cual se observó hipertrofia concéntrica del ventrículo izquierdo y un falso tendón con inserción desde la cabeza del músculo papilar anterior hasta el endocardio del séptum subaórtico cruzando la luz del tracto de salida del ventrículo izquierdo. Relevancia clínica: Al conocimiento de los autores el presente trabajo es el primer reporte del empleo de asistencia ventilatoria mecánica en pacientes felinos con edema agudo de pulmón cardiogénico debido a disfunción diastólica.Fil: Donati, Pablo. UCIcoop; ArgentinaFil: Belerenian, Guillermo. Instituto Pasteur; ArgentinaFil: Mesplet, Maria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias; ArgentinaFil: Fernandez, Viviana. UCIcoop; ArgentinaFil: Figuls, Eliana. UCIcoop; ArgentinaFil: Gargiulo, E.. UCIcoop; ArgentinaFil: Guevara, Juan Manuel. UCIcoop; ArgentinaFil: Luztman, Denise. UCIcoop; ArgentinaFil: Moretti, Julieta. UCIcoop; ArgentinaFil: Plataroti, Anabella. UCIcoop; ArgentinaFil: Rodriguez, Sergio. No especifica;Fil: Tunesi, Marcela. UCIcoop; ArgentinaFil: Zayas, Macarena. UCIcoop; ArgentinaFil: Guillemi, Eliana Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro de Investigación en Ciencias Veterinarias y Agronómicas. Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentin

Monitoreo de presión intracraneana (PIC) en un canino craniectomizado

Objetive: To describe the method for intracraneal pressure (ICP) measurement and the curve analysis in a canine that suffered a craneal trauma and underwent a craniectomy surgery. Case description: an exploratory craniotomy was performed on a two month-old mongrel male canine, who has suffered from a post-bite cranial trauma. During surgery the canine experimented profuse bleeding while bone fragments were removed from the skull fracture. After surgery a device was placed for ICP monitoring. During the weaning from Mechanical Ventilation Assistance (MVA) a severe decrease in ventilation and a marked increase in ICP were identified. The ICP waves record showed a marked P2 component. ICP values returned to normal after restoring MVA and Manitol dosification. Twelve hours post-surgery the animal died due to refractory hypotension. Clinical relevance: intracraneal pressure monitoring has been poorly reported in the clinical area. For the autor´s knowledge, changes in the PIC wave conformation associated to a hypoventilation event has not been previously reported in veterinary medicine.Objetivo: Describir el procedimiento mediante el cual se realizó la medición de la presión intracraneana (PIC) y el análisis de la curva en un canino al que se le realizó una craniectomía por trauma craneoencefálico. Descripción del caso: Se realizó una craneotomía exploratoria en un paciente canino macho, mestizo de dos meses de edad que presentaba trauma encefalocraneano (TEC) por mordedura. Durante la cirugía el paciente presentó un sangrado severo al remover los fragmentos óseos de la fractura de cráneo. Al finalizar el procedimiento quirúrgico, se colocó un dispositivo para monitorear la evolución de la PIC. Al destete de la asistencia ventilatoria mecánica (AVM), se registró una severa disminución de la ventilación y un marcado incremento de la PIC. El registro de las ondas de PIC evidenció la presencia de un pronunciado componente de onda P2. Los niveles de PIC retornaron a los valores de referencia luego de restaurar la AVM y dosificar al animal con manitol. Doce horas después de la cirugía el animal murió debido a un cuadro de hipotensión refractaria. Relevancia clínica: El monitoreo de la presión intracraneana ha sido pobremente reportada en medicina veterinaria en el ámbito clínico. Al conocimiento de los autores los cambios en la conformación de la curva de PIC asociado a un episodio de hipoventilación no ha sido reportado previamente en medicina veterinaria.Fil: Donati, Pablo. No especifica;Fil: Guillemi, Eliana Carolina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Piñeyro, Julian. No especifica;Fil: Guevara, Juan Manuel. No especifica;Fil: Moretti, Julieta. No especifica;Fil: Gargiulo, Noelia. No especifica;Fil: Zayas, M. No especifica;Fil: Abdala, Paula Macarena. No especifica;Fil: Lavalle, Maria del Carmen. No especifica;Fil: Jensen, Mario Alejandro. No especifica;Fil: Scorza, Patricio. No especifica;Fil: Mouly, Javier. No especifica;Fil: Belerenian, Guillermo. No especifica;Fil: Otero, Pablo Ezequiel. No especifica