Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dual chamber pacemakers used to treat AV block in dogs
By Hildebrandt, N et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2009·Department of Clinical Studies, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Dual chamber pacemaker implantation in dogs with atrioventricular block.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 33 dogs with severe heart block (a condition where the heart beats too slowly) received dual chamber pacemakers to help restore normal heart function. The procedure was successful in all dogs, and while some experienced complications, most were minor. On average, the dogs lived for about 33 months after the surgery, showing that this type of pacemaker can significantly improve their quality of life. This treatment is a good option for dogs with this heart condition, as it helps their hearts work more effectively without a higher risk of complications compared to simpler pacemaker systems.
People also search for: dog heart block treatment · dual chamber pacemaker for dogs · dog slow heart rate symptoms
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pacemaker implantation is the treatment of choice for symptomatic bradyarrhythmias. In dogs, a single chamber system is commonly used. In human patients with high-grade 2nd- or 3rd-degree atrioventricular (AV) block, physiologic pacing is recommended, because it improves cardiac output, blood pressure, exercise tolerance, and quality of life. In dogs, this type of pacing is seldom used. HYPOTHESIS: The implantation of a dual chamber pacemaker in dogs with AV block is a feasible procedure for restoring AV synchrony. ANIMALS: Thirty-three privately owned dogs with high-grade 2nd- or 3rd-degree AV block were included. METHODS: Patient data of all dogs with AV block presented for pacemaker implantation between December 1997 and November 2004 were reviewed. RESULTS: Dual chamber pacemaker implantation with AV synchronous stimulation was successfully performed in 33/33 dogs (100%). In 9/33 (27%) major and in 12/33 (36%) minor complications were observed. Mean survival time for the patients discharged from hospital (n = 32) was 33.6 +/- 20.4 months (range, 3.9-83.5 months). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Dual chamber pacing is a feasible procedure in dogs with 2nd- or 3rd-degree AV block and is not associated with a higher complication rate compared with single chamber pacemaker systems. A major advantage over ventricular demand pacemaker systems is the restoration of AV synchrony for a substantial period of time.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19175717/