Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Cat fainting spells linked to fast heart rhythm found by implantable
By Ferasin, Luca·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2009·University of Minnesota, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Recurrent syncope associated with paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia in a Devon Rex cat diagnosed by implantable loop recorder.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A 9-year-old male neutered Devon Rex cat was brought in for fainting spells that had been happening for 7 years. Earlier tests, including a 24-hour heart monitor, didn’t reveal the cause, and a medication called atenolol didn’t help. Finally, an implantable loop recorder was used, which found that the cat was experiencing a rapid heart rhythm called paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) during these fainting episodes. After starting treatment with a different medication, sotalol, the cat has not had any more fainting spells for 18 months.
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Abstract
A 9-year-old male neutered Devon Rex cat was presented for continued investigations following a 7-year history of recurrent syncope. Previous diagnostic tests, including 24h (Holter) electrocardiographic monitoring, had failed to identify the aetiology of such episodes, and former empirical treatment with atenolol had not provided satisfactory control of the clinical signs. A conclusive diagnosis was eventually achieved using an implantable loop recorder (Reveal), which identified paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) associated with a syncopal episode. Treatment with oral sotalol was instituted and, 18 months after initiation of anti-arrhythmic therapy, no further syncopal episodes have been observed by the cat's owners.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18602324/