Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Transient trifascicular heart block causing lethargy in three cats
By Oxford, Eva M et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology·2018·Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical and electrocardiographic presentations of transient trifascicular block in three cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Three cats were brought to the vet because they were lethargic and not eating well. Tests showed they had a heart condition called transient trifascicular block, which was identified through their electrocardiograms (ECGs). The cats were treated with medication, and all of them recovered within a few weeks, returning to a normal heart rhythm. The elevated cardiac troponin I levels indicated they might have had myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle), which also improved with treatment.
People also search for: cat lethargy and not eating · cat heart block treatment · elevated cardiac troponin in cats
Abstract
This report describes transient trifascicular block in three cats presented with lethargy and inappetence, and elevated cardiac troponin I concentrations. The electrocardiogram (ECG) of cat 1 showed a sinus rhythm with pronounced first-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, right bundle branch block, and left anterior fascicular block. The ECG of cat 2 showed truncular left bundle branch block alternating with left anterior fascicular block coupled with prolonged PR intervals, second-degree heart block, and paroxysmal third-degree AV block. The ECG of cat 3 showed first-degree AV block with concomitant right bundle branch block. The diagnosis of trifascicular block was made when paroxysmal third-degree AV block was documented. All cats recovered with medical management within weeks. Each cat resumed a sinus rhythm. Elevated cardiac troponin I concentrations suggested myocarditis that improved.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29572123/