Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bradyarrhythmias and pacemaker use in dogs with Chagas disease
By Saunders, A B et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2013·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Bradyarrhythmias and pacemaker therapy in dogs with Chagas disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with Chagas disease (a heart condition caused by a parasite) experienced slow heart rates that required pacemaker implantation. Among 144 dogs needing this treatment, 9 were confirmed to have Chagas disease, with symptoms like high-grade heart block. Unfortunately, having Chagas disease was linked to a shorter survival time, averaging about a year after diagnosis. However, the pacemaker helped manage their heart issues and improve their quality of life.
People also search for: dog slow heart rate treatment · Chagas disease in dogs · pacemaker for dogs with heart problems
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chagas disease (Trypanosomiasis) is a cause of myocarditis in the southern United States causing cardiac conduction abnormalities, arrhythmias, and heart failure. OBJECTIVES: To report clinical findings and outcome in Chagas positive (CP) dogs requiring pacemaker implantation for bradyarrhythmias. ANIMALS: One hundred and forty-four client-owned dogs requiring pacemaker implantation. METHODS: Retrospective case series. Information regarding history, physical exam, laboratory and diagnostic imaging findings, treatment, and survival were obtained from medical records, with additional follow-up information obtained by contacting referring veterinarians and owners. RESULTS: Of the 144 dogs requiring pacemaker implantation from January 2001 to May 2010, 83 (57.6%) had a Chagas titer performed and 9 (10%) were CP. Concurrent ventricular arrhythmias (odds ratio 1.61, P = .005) or atrioventricular (AV) block (odds ratio 4.18, P < .001) increased the likelihood that a Chagas titer was submitted. Median age for CP dogs was 6.2 years (range, 0.3-10); 7 were male. Bradyarrhythmias included high-grade 2nd or 3rd degree AV block (n = 8) and sinus bradycardia with 1st degree AV block (n = 1); 5 had concurrent ventricular arrhythmias. A positive Chagas titer had a negative impact on survival (hazard ratio 4.04; 95% CI 1.36-12.1, P = .012) with a reported median survival time of 365 days (interquartile range, 84-973 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Bradyarrhythmias can result in clinical signs requiring pacemaker implantation in CP dogs, and although the diagnosis negatively impacts survival, pacemaker therapy is a viable treatment option.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23662590/