Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Bradyarrhythmias and pacemaker outcomes in English springer spaniels
By Fonfara, S et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2010·Small Animal Teaching Hospital, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: English springer spaniels with significant bradyarrhythmias--presentation, troponin I and follow-up after pacemaker implantation.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 10 English Springer Spaniels were brought in for heart problems, specifically significant bradyarrhythmias, which means their hearts were beating too slowly. These dogs were younger than other breeds that typically need pacemakers. After receiving pacemaker implants, their heart health improved, with a notable drop in cardiac troponin I levels, a marker of heart stress. The dogs had a good quality of life and survived for about 30 months after the procedure, showing that pacemaker implantation is beneficial for this breed.
People also search for: English Springer Spaniel heart problems · dog pacemaker implantation · bradyarrhythmia treatment in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: English springer spaniels (ESS) are one of the most frequently presented breeds for pacemaker implantation in the UK and may do so at an early age. In comparison to dogs of other breeds (non-ESS) presenting for pacemaker implantation, cardiac troponin I (cTnI), the outcome and survival of ESS were investigated. METHODS: Case records of dogs receiving pacemaker implantation were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Between September 2004 and October 2008, 58 dogs were presented to the Small Animal Teaching Hospital, University of Liverpool for pacemaker implantation. ESS (n=10) was the second most commonly presented breed. ESS were significantly younger than non-ESS (P=0.022). cTnI values were elevated on presentation and a significant reduction was present after pacemaker implantation (P=0.008) in all dogs. No significant difference in initial cTnI was identified comparing ESS and non-ESS (P=0.45) and median survival times were similar (P=0.37). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: ESS may be predisposed to bradyarrhythmias requiring pacemaker implantation. They present at a significantly younger age than non-ESS. Survival times between ESS and non-ESS were similar, despite ESS being paced at a younger age. However, pacemaker implantation is recommended in ESS, as median survival times of 30 months with a good quality of life were achieved.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20070495/