Dog with ventricular tachycardia saved by CPR and multiple treatments

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of successful CPR after prolonged cardiopulmonary arrest in a dog treated for refractory ventricular tachycardia (VT) with multiple antiarrhythmic medications and attempted electrical cardioversion, resulting in suspected lidocaine toxicosis necessitating intra-arrest IV lipid emulsion (ILE) administration. CASE SUMMARY: A 6-month-old male intact American Cocker Spaniel was presented for evaluation of VT found on routine physical examination. A dilated cardiomyopathy phenotype was identified on echocardiography. The arrhythmia was refractory to therapy with lidocaine, magnesium sulfate, procainamide, and amiodarone. Subsequently, the dog was anesthetized for electrical cardioversion. The dog then developed ventricular fibrillation (VF), and CPR was performed per the contemporaneous Reassessment Campaign on Veterinary Resuscitation guidelines. Once the duration of VF exceeded 10 min, CPR was adjusted with a longer period of chest compressions before defibrillation. ILE was administered due to a concern for concurrent lidocaine toxicosis and to bind some of the previously administered antiarrhythmic medications, which may have increased the defibrillation threshold (DFT). Return of spontaneous circulation was achieved after 16 min of CPR. After being discharged, the dog was treated with mexiletine and sotalol long term and continued to do well 12 months later despite persistent VT. NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED: This report describes a case of CPA secondary to intractable VT refractory to both injectable antiarrhythmic medication and attempted electrical cardioversion. Evidence suggests that antiarrhythmic medications can have positive or negative effects on the DFT, which may affect the success of electrical cardioversion or defibrillation. ILE was administered to bind the lipophilic antiarrhythmic medications due to concern that they were increasing the DFT. In patients with malignant arrhythmias, use of antiarrhythmic medication is often essential; however, clinicians should consider its potential impact on the DFT during subsequent cardioversion or defibrillation.