Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heart test results and outcomes in 44 dogs with Trypanosoma cruzi
By Matthews, Derek J et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2021·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cardiac diagnostic test results and outcomes in 44 dogs naturally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 44 dogs infected with the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi showed various heart problems, including abnormal heart rhythms and enlarged heart chambers. Many of these dogs had serious issues like ventricular arrhythmias and atrioventricular block, which were linked to shorter survival times. Testing revealed that over half of the dogs had elevated levels of cardiac troponin, indicating heart damage. The study highlighted the importance of thorough cardiac evaluations for dogs with this infection, as these tests can help predict outcomes and guide treatment.
People also search for: dog heart problems Trypanosoma cruzi · symptoms of heart disease in dogs · treatment for dog myocarditis
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The protozoal parasite Trypanosoma cruzi causes myocarditis in dogs. OBJECTIVES: To describe the cardiac diagnostic test results and outcomes of dogs naturally infected with T. cruzi. ANIMALS: Forty-four client-owned dogs. METHODS: Medical records were retrospectively reviewed to identify dogs with an indirect fluorescent antibody test result for T. cruzi ≥1 : 80. Data collected included signalment, cardiac diagnostic test results (ECG, echocardiography, cardiac troponin I) and outcome. Outcomes were categorized as alive, dead (cardiac or noncardiac) or lost to follow up. RESULTS: ECG abnormalities were present in 41 dogs with ventricular arrhythmias (n = 28) and atrioventricular block (AVB) (n = 15) most commonly identified. Echocardiographic chamber enlargement was present in 28 dogs and most often included the right ventricle (RV) (n = 15) and left atrium (n = 12). Troponin was ≥2 times the reference range in 20/36 (56%) dogs. In univariate analysis using nonparametric Kaplan-Meier, ventricular arrhythmias with a modified Lown score ≥2 (P = .02), presence of AVB (P = .04), and RV enlargement (P = .006) were associated with decreased survival times. Right ventricular enlargement (HR 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-9.3; P = .007) and higher body weight at presentation (HR 1.0; 95% CI 1.0-1.1; P = .04) were associated with decreased time to death in the final explanatory multivariable model. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cardiac abnormalities were common and variable, and RV enlargement was associated with shorter survival time. A diagnostic evaluation that includes screening for arrhythmias, echocardiography, and cTnI can provide useful information related to the characterization of heart disease in dogs seropositive for T. cruzi.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33993542/