Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog heart protein levels before and after pacemaker for slow heart
By Trafny, Dennis J et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology·2010·Department of Clinical Studies-Philadelphia, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cardiac troponin-I concentrations in dogs with bradyarrhythmias before and after artificial pacing.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 14 dogs with slow heart rates (bradyarrhythmias) were treated with a pacemaker to help regulate their heartbeats. Before the procedure, blood tests showed high levels of cardiac troponin-I, which indicates heart injury, and these levels were still elevated after the pacemaker was placed in many of the dogs. Some dogs also tested positive for a bacteria called Bartonella, which can affect the heart. The results suggest that even after pacing, some heart damage may remain, and further studies are needed to understand the long-term effects on heart function.
People also search for: dog slow heart rate treatment · pacemaker for dogs · elevated cardiac troponin in dogs · Bartonella heart disease in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To quantify cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) concentration in dogs with symptomatic bradyarrhythmias before and after artificial pacing and to correlate cTnI concentration with diagnosis, echocardiographic parameters, serology, and outcome. ANIMALS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Medical records from the University of Pennsylvania from 2006 to 2009 were reviewed, and 14 dogs with cTnI assay results before and after pacemaker were identified. The ECG diagnosis included complete atrioventricular block (AVB), sick sinus syndrome, 2nd degree AVB, and atrial standstill. Serology, presence of premature beats, echocardiographic measurements, and pacing modality were recorded. RESULTS: Mean cTnI concentration was elevated both pre- and post-pacing, and was significantly higher pre-pacing vs. post-pacing. Post-pacing cTnI concentration in 9 of 14 dogs (64%) remained above the reference range. Four dogs yielded high serum titers for Bartonella spp. Four dogs with markedly increased cTnI concentration had progressive left ventricular enlargement and myocardial failure as compared to pre-pacing examination. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated cTnI concentration suggests that cardiac injury persists after artificial pacing in dogs with bradyarrhythmias. Myocarditis secondary to Bartonella spp. or other causes may be an important cause of AVB in dogs. Prospective studies investigating the correlation of cTnI to potential etiology and development of post-pacing LV dysfunction and outcome are needed.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21030328/