Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heart rate variability predicts survival in dogs with dilated
By Pereira, Y Martinez et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2008·Southern Animal Referral Centre, Australia·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The vasovagal tonus index as a prognostic indicator in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a serious heart condition, had their heart rate variability measured using a simple test called the vasovagal tonus index (VVTI). The study found that dogs with lower VVTI values were more likely to be in worse heart failure classes and had shorter survival times. Specifically, a VVTI value below 7.59 indicated a higher risk for these dogs. This test can help veterinarians assess how severe a dog's heart condition is and predict how long they might live.
People also search for: dog heart failure symptoms · dilated cardiomyopathy prognosis in dogs · heart rate variability test for dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prognostic and diagnostic value of heart rate variability (HRV) using the vasovagal tonus index (VVTI) in dogs suffering from idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). METHODS: Electrocardiographic (ECG) recordings of 369 patients presented to a referral centre between 1993 and 2006 were reviewed. RESULTS: VVTI values were calculated from 132 dogs. Lower VVTI values were found in patients in International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council (ISACHC) heart failure (HF) class 2 and 3 compared with class 1. VVTI was found to be positively correlated with survival time (ST) in class 2 and 3 patients. When a cut-off value of 7.59 for VVTI was used, the test could differentiate patients in ISACHC HF class 1 versus 2 and 3 with a sensitivity of 89 per cent and a specificity of 62.5 per cent. The ST for patients with VVTI values less than 7.59 was significantly lower. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The VVTI is a useful index, obtained from a standard ECG recording that estimates HRV in dogs and does not require any specific equipment for its calculation. It can be useful as a diagnostic tool to assess the severity of HF and is a useful prognostic tool in dogs with DCM.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19006490/