Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Atrial pacing treatment results in 16 dogs with sinus node dysfunction
By Estrada, A H et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2012·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Atrial-based pacing for sinus node dysfunction in dogs: initial results.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 16 dogs with sinus node dysfunction (a heart condition affecting the heart's natural pacemaker) underwent a procedure called atrial pacing to help manage their symptoms. Over an average follow-up period of nearly a year, most dogs did well, with only one developing a temporary heart block shortly after surgery. Some dogs experienced issues like lead dislodgment or needed higher settings for pacing over time, but none lost the ability to be paced completely. Overall, the procedure showed promise for helping dogs with this heart condition, although some risks were noted.
People also search for: dog heart problems treatment · sinus node dysfunction in dogs · atrial pacing for dogs · dog heart surgery recovery
Abstract
BACKGROUND: An important consideration for the treatment of sick sinus syndrome (SSS) lies in the function of the atrioventricular (AV) node because most patients with SSS retain the ability to conduct atrial impulses. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: This retrospective study examined the feasibility of atrial pacing (AAI) in dogs with sinus node dysfunction (SND). ANIMALS: Sixteen dogs with SND and AAI pacing were identified. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records. RESULTS: Follow-up time ranged from 45 to 1,227 days (mean: 292 days). Only 1 dog developed AV block 3 days postoperatively. Complete lead dislodgment occurred in 3/16 dogs 1, 19, and 27 days postoperatively. Lead perforation into the pericardial space occurred in 2/16 dogs. Rising thresholds for pacing with possible lead microdislodgment or fibrosis were suspected in another 3/16 dogs 57, 192, and 1,016 days after implantation. None of these dogs had complete loss of capture but all required higher thresholds for pacing. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Based on this small group of dogs, clinically important AV block does not appear to occur in the long-term for dogs with SND. Risks of lead perforation, complete dislodgment, and rising thresholds for pacing, possibly because of microdislodgment, may be related to the initial skill level of the operator or the leads that were used. Use of leads with reduced torque at the lead tip, higher flexibility, increased lead-tip surface of contact with the endocardium or, more likely, use of alternate locations for pacing in the small right atrium of dogs with SND may decrease the frequency of these complications.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22490116/