Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Focal atrial tachycardia heart rhythm in 16 dogs studied
By Santilli, R A et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2010·Clinica Veterinaria Malpensa, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Electrophysiologic characteristics and topographic distribution of focal atrial tachycardias in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 16 dogs with symptoms of rapid heartbeats (focal atrial tachycardia) underwent tests to understand the electrical activity in their hearts. The study found that most of these heart issues originated from the right side of the heart, particularly in areas near the pulmonary veins. In some cases, these rapid heartbeats could lead to more serious heart problems like atrial fibrillation. The findings suggest that many of these conditions are automatic, meaning they happen without external triggers. Treatment options were not detailed, but understanding the location and nature of these issues can help veterinarians manage them effectively.
People also search for: dog rapid heartbeat treatment · dog heart problems symptoms · atrial fibrillation in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Focal atrial tachycardia (FAT) is a common supraventricular tachycardia in dogs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate electrophysiologic characteristics and topographic distribution of FAT. ANIMALS: Sixteen dogs with symptomatic FAT. METHODS: Retrospective case series. Electrophysiological studies were performed to test the inducibility of documented and no documented arrhythmias. Once induced for each dog, FAT was analyzed for electrogenic mechanism, endocardial electrogram, and location. RESULTS: Nineteen FATs could be studied in 16 dogs, 12 were automatic, 4 nonautomatic, and 3 incessant. Two dogs had >1 focus. Mean atrial cycle length (CL) was 238.2 +/- 69.2 (SD) milliseconds, mean ventricular CL of 292.7 +/- 72.5 (SD) milliseconds, with atrioventricular block in 6 cases. Mean presystolic atrial activity recorded at the ectopic focus was -39.9 +/- 17.7 (SD) milliseconds. Atrial potentials were fragmented in 11 dogs and were low amplitude in 6 dogs. Sixty-three percent of ectopic foci were distributed within the right atrium (5 crista terminalis, 3 triangle of Koch, 2 tricuspid valve annulus, 1 interatrial septum, and 1 right auricle) and 37% in the pulmonary veins (PVs) (4 right superior PV, 2 left superior PV, and 1 right inferior PV). Persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) and paroxysmal AF were triggered by FATs in 7 dogs (2 with multiple ectopic foci and 4 with at least one PV focus). CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: According to our findings, dogs have a predominance of right-sided FAT. The majority of FATs are automatic and can trigger AF, particularly in the case of PV location.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20384960/