Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Implantable loop recorders: a viable diagnostic tool in veterinary medicine.
- Journal:
- The Journal of small animal practice
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- James, R et al.
- Affiliation:
- University of Liverpool · United Kingdom
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at whether implantable loop recorders, which are devices that monitor heart activity, can help diagnose dogs that collapse for unknown reasons. The researchers reviewed the cases of six dogs that had episodes of fainting or weakness and had these devices implanted after standard tests. They found that one dog was diagnosed with a fast heart condition called supraventricular tachycardia, while two others were diagnosed with different heart issues or epilepsy. One dog did not have any more fainting episodes, another did not receive a clear diagnosis, and the last dog could not be followed up. Overall, the study suggests that implantable loop recorders can be a useful tool for diagnosing unexplained collapses in dogs.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether implantable loop recorders could be used in the diagnosis of unexplained collapse in dogs. METHODS: The medical records of six dogs presented to the University of Liverpool Small Animal Teaching Hospital between May 2003 and October 2006 for further evaluation of intermittent syncopal episodes, collapse or episodic weakness, were reviewed. All these dogs underwent standard investigations and had implantable loop recorders placed. RESULTS: A provisional diagnosis of supraventricular tachycardia was made in one dog, and diagnoses of exclusion of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and idiopathic epilepsy was made in two dogs. One dog suffered no further syncopal episodes, a diagnosis was not reached in another dog and the final dog was lost to follow-up. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The implantable loop recorder can be used successfully for the diagnosis of unexplained collapse in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19006489/