DOCSLIB.ORG

Information to Users

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Information to Users INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly from the original or copy submitted. Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from any type of computer printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to right in equal sections with small overlaps. ProQuest Information and Learning 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 USA 800-521-0600 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF ARRHYTHMOGENIC CARDIOMYOPATHY IN BOXERS DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Alan W. Spier, D.V.M. ***** The Ohio State University 2002 Dissertation Committee Approved by Associate Professor Kathryn M. Meurs, Adviser Professor Robert L. Hamlin Adviser Veterinary Clinical Sciences Professor William W. Muir Professor John D. Bonagura Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. UMI Number: 3059330 Copyright 2002 by Spier, Alan Wemer All rights reserved. _ ___ __ ® UMI UMI Microform 3059330 Copyright 2002 by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. Ail rights reserved. This microform edition is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. ProQuest Information and Learning Company 300 North Zeeb Road P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml 48106-1346 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Copyright by Alan W. Spier 2002 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ABSTRACT Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in Boxers is characterized by the development of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death. Standard diagnostics, including thoracic radiographs and echocardiography are of limited use in the evaluation of Boxers with arrhythmias. Alternative diagnostics are needed to better evaluate these patients, help determine prognosis and guide therapy. Electrophysiology testing is used in the evaluation of arrhythmias in people. The need for anesthesia, the relative expense and risks inherent to the procedure, and its limited availability preclude its use in veterinary medicine. Inexpensive, noninvasive diagnostic tests that are associated with fewer risks would significantly improve the management of patients with ventricular arrhythmias. The goal of this project was to evaluate Boxers with arrhythmias by the use of noninvasive diagnostic testing, including ambulatory electrocardiography, signal-averaged electrocardiography, QT dispersion, and heart rate variability. The degree of arrhythmia variability evaluated by ambulatory electrocardiography can affect disease diagnosis and influence assessment of progression and efficacy of therapy. Substantial variability was identified, and suggests that an 80% reduction in arrhythmia frequency is necessary to document a drug effect, while changes of less than 80% may be within the limits of spontaneous variability. ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Signal-averaged electrocardiography documented the presence of late potentials in Boxers that were most severely affected. The presence of late potentials suggests that abnormal conduction exists in these dogs, which may represent a substrate for arrhythmia formation. Identification of late potentials may therefore be a predictor for mortality. QT dispersion from standard electrocardiographic tracings was used to identify abnormalities in repolarization. The degree of QT dispersion did not correlate with any measure of disease severity. Many severely affected dogs had no QT dispersion, and QT dispersion was identified in some less affected dogs. QT dispersion was therefore not considered to be a useful diagnostic test in these dogs. Analysis of heart rate variability was reduced in dogs with congestive heart failure, but no reduction was identified between affected and unaffected dogs. Increased sympathetic tone is unlikely to be a discriminating feature between unaffected Boxers and those with only arrhythmias. Therefore, analysis of heart rate variability was of little value in assessing arrhythmic disease. iii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Dedicated to all the Boxers that “volunteered” to be in the study, and to all those that never had the chance. IV Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I wish to thank my advisor, Dr. Kate Meurs for her seemingly endless support and encouragement; for the many times she used carrots instead of sticks. Without her effort and enthusiasm, this project would have never been possible. I extend my deepest appreciation, respect, loyalty and admiration to Dr. Robert Hamlin for his guidance and support. He is a role model, whose influence on me personally and professionally, are beyond words. I am truly priveleged to have had the opportunity to watch him work. I thank Drs. John Bonagura and William Muir for their service as committee members and their intellectual stimulation and constructive criticism. I am indebted to Nicola Wright, who through the evolution of this project, became the chief organizer, secretary, dog-holder, and, at times, cheerleader. A special note of gratitude to Dr. Craig Hassler, Jeff Wallery, and Tom Vinci at the Battelle institute for their generosity for allowing us both time and space to analyze Holters. I would like to acknowledge The Ohio State University canine research funds and the AKC/ Boxer charitable trust for their financial support. Finally, to all the veterinary students and volunteers who gave up their Saturday mornings to help us with holding (and sometimes wrestling) dogs. v Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. VITA June 25, 1970...........................................Bom— El Paso, TX 1992 .......................................................... BS Zoology, University of Texas 1993 .......................................................... BS Veterinary Science, Texas A&M University 1996 .......................................................... DVM, Texas A&M University 1996-199 7 ................................................ Internship, Small Animal Medicine and Surgery Kansas State University 1997-200 2 ................................................ Resident, Small Animal Medicine (Cardiology) The Ohio State University !997-present ............................................. Doctoral Candidate, The Ohio State University PUBLICATIONS Research Publication: 1. Spier AW, Meurs KM, Muir WW, Lehmkuhl LB, Hamlin RL. Correlation of QT dispersion with indices used to evaluate the severity of familial ventricular arrhythmias in Boxers. Am J Vet Res 62,2001, 1481-5 2. Spier AW, Meurs KM, Coovert DD, Lehmkuhl LB, O’Grady MR, Freeman LM, Burghes AH, Towbin JA. Western blot analysis of myocardial dystrophin, a- sarcoglycan and P-dystroglycan in dogs with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. Am J Vet Res 62,2001,67-71. 3. Meurs KM, Spier AW, Wright NA, Hamlin RL. Comparison of in-hospital vs 24 hour ambulatory electrocardiography for detection of ventricular premature complexes in mature Boxers. J Am Vet Med Assos 218,2001, 222- 224. vi Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. 4. Meurs KM, Spier AW, Wright NA, Hamlin RA. Use of ambulatory electrocardiography for detection of ventricular premature complexes in healthy dogs.J Am Vet Med Assoc 218,2001, 1291-2 5. Meurs KM, Spier AW, Miller MW, Lehmkuhl LB, Towbin JA. Familial ventricular Dysrhythmias in Boxer Dogs. JVIM 13, 1999 437-439. 6. Meurs KM, Magnon AL, Spier AW, Miller MW, Lehmkuhl LB, Towbin JA. Evaluation of the cardiac actin gene in Doberman pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy. Am J Vet Res 62, 2001, 33-36. FIELDS OF STUDY Major Field: Veterinary Cardiology Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Abstract .................................................................................................................................. ii Dedication............................................................................................................................. iv Acknowlegments ................................................................................................................... v Vita.........................................................................................................................................vi
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Clinical Utility of Exercise Testing and High-Sensitivity
    CLINICAL UTILITY OF EXERCISE TESTING AND HIGH-SENSITIVITY CARDIAC TROPONIN I IN EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF ARRHYTHMOGENIC RIGHT VENTRICULAR CARDIOMYOPATHY IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY BOXER DOGS A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE Department of Companion Animals Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Prince Edward Island Deepmala Agarwal Charlottetown, P.E.I. August 6, 2021 © 2021, Agarwal Figure 2 is copyrighted by the American Veterinary Medical Association and is reprinted with permission. THESIS/DISSERTATION NON-EXCLUSIVE LICENSE Family Name: Agarwal Given Name, Middle Name (if applicable): Deepmala Full Name of University: University of Prince Edward Island Faculty, Department, School: Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine Degree for which thesis/dissertation was presented: Date Degree Awarded: Master of Science August 6, 2021 Thesis/dissertation Title: CLINICAL UTILITY OF EXERCISE TESTING AND HIGH-SENSITIVITY CARDIAC TROPONIN I IN EARLY DIAGNOSIS OF ARRHYTHMOGENIC RIGHT VENTRICULAR CARDIOMYOPATHY IN APPARENTLY HEALTHY BOXER DOGS Date of Birth. It is optional to supply your date of birth. If you choose to do so please note that the information will be included in the bibliographic record for your thesis/dissertation. In consideration of my University making my thesis/dissertation available to interested persons, I, Deepmala Agarwal hereby grant a non-exclusive, for the full term of copyright protection, license to my University, The university of Prince Edward Island: (a) to archive, preserve, produce, reproduce, publish, communicate, convert into any format, and to make available in print or online by telecommunication to the public for non-commercial purposes; (b) to sub-license to Library and Archives Canada any of the acts mentioned in paragraph (a).
    [Show full text]
  • Structural and Molecular Pathology of the Atrium in Boxer Arrhythmogenic
    Louisiana State University LSU Digital Commons LSU Master's Theses Graduate School 2012 Structural and molecular pathology of the atrium in boxer arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy Jorge Luis Vila Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses Part of the Veterinary Medicine Commons Recommended Citation Vila, Jorge Luis, "Structural and molecular pathology of the atrium in boxer arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy" (2012). LSU Master's Theses. 2970. https://digitalcommons.lsu.edu/gradschool_theses/2970 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at LSU Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in LSU Master's Theses by an authorized graduate school editor of LSU Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. STRUCTURAL AND MOLECULAR PATHOLOGY OF THE ATRIUM IN BOXER ARRHYTHMOGENIC CARDIOMYOPATHY A Thesis Submitted to the Graduate Faculty of the Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in The Interdepartmental Program in Veterinary Medical Sciences through the Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences by Jorge L. Vila DVM, Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine, 2007 December 2012 Acknowledgments I would like to express my gratitude to all the individuals whose help has made the completion of this thesis possible. First, I would like to thank my major professor and mentor Dr. Romain Pariaut. Thank you for providing the opportunity and the guidance to allow me to complete this research. I am very grateful to be able to continue to grow professionally under your direction, as I complete the cardiology residency program.
    [Show full text]
  • ARVC in Boxers: Case Studies
    Vet Times The website for the veterinary profession https://www.vettimes.co.uk ARVC in boxers: case studies Author : Ruth Willis Categories : Companion animal, Vets Date : December 8, 2014 Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is also known as boxer cardiomyopathy. ARVC has been documented in humans, but, in the veterinary context, this condition mainly affects boxers and is more common in middle aged and older dogs. This condition is characterised by ventricular dysrhythmias that have the potential to cause syncope and, in some cases, also systolic dysfunction resulting in congestive heart failure. Although some individuals seem to tolerate this disease, sadly it is also associated with sudden death and is of understandable concern to owners and breeders. Pathology The disease is characterised by fibrofatty infiltration of the right ventricular myocardium and progressing from epicardium to endocardium. The changes generally start around the triangle of dysplasia of the right ventricle and then may spread to involve the interventricular septum, atrial myocardium and sometimes also the left ventricle. The fibrofatty infiltration results in a loss of mechanical and electrical coupling between cells and this is likely to form the substrate for dysrhythmias as the myocytes are no longer an electrical syncytium. At a cellular level, the fibrofatty infiltration may also result in impaired cell-to- cell adhesion, myocyte detachment, cell death and decreased resilience to mechanical stress and pressure. Clinical presentation In the 1990s, three forms of boxer cardiomyopathy were described (Harpster, 1991): • type one – ventricular tachydysrhythmias without clinical signs; • type two – ventricular tachydysrhythmias with clinical signs; or 1 / 12 • type three – ventricular tachydysrhythmias and systolic failure.
    [Show full text]
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy in Boxers
    3 CE CE Article CREDITS Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy in Boxers Crystal D. Hariu, DVM Texas A & M University Dewey Carpenter, DVM, DACVIM (Cardiology) Coral Springs Animal Hospital Coral Springs, Florida Abstract: Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, formerly termed boxer cardiomyopathy, is a familial primary myocar- dial disease that is prevalent in boxers. Unique histopathologic changes in the myocardium lead to conduction abnormalities that typically manifest as ventricular tachyarrhythmias with left bundle branch block morphology. Affected dogs can be asymptomatic or may have syncope and/or exercise intolerance. Diagnosis can be difficult, and indications for antiarrhythmic therapy are not al- ways clear. A small number of dogs present with systolic dysfunction and/or congestive heart failure. Screening in asymptomatic breeding dogs was difficult until the recent development of genetic testing. arpster1 was the first to describe a primary myo- Clinical Presentation cardial disease in the boxer breed. It is considered ARVC in boxers is typically a disease of adult onset, but a degenerative myocardial disease that is charac- the clinical presentation is variable.1,2 Harpster1 originally H terized by fatty or fibrofatty infiltration of the right, and described three forms: asymptomatic dogs with occasional sometimes left, ventricle.1–3 Formerly termed boxer cardio- ventricular premature complexes (VPCs); dogs with epi- myopathy, the disease is now referred to as arrhythmogenic sodes of syncope, weakness, or exercise intolerance asso- right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) due to similarities ciated with ventricular tachyarrhythmias; and dogs with between the disease in boxers and ARVC in humans, includ- tachyarrhythmias, usually ventricular, and some degree of ing presentation, genetic etiology, and histopathology.3,4 myocardial dysfunction or congestive heart failure (CHF).
    [Show full text]
  • Genome-Wide Association Identifies a Deletion in the 3 Untranslated
    Hum Genet (2010) 128:315–324 DOI 10.1007/s00439-010-0855-y ORIGINAL INVESTIGATION Genome-wide association identifies a deletion in the 30 untranslated region of Striatin in a canine model of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy Kathryn M. Meurs • Evan Mauceli • Sunshine Lahmers • Gregory M. Acland • Stephen N. White • Kerstin Lindblad-Toh Received: 22 April 2010 / Accepted: 18 June 2010 / Published online: 2 July 2010 Ó Springer-Verlag 2010 Abstract Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyo- affects a stem loop structure of the mRNA and expression pathy (ARVC) is a familial cardiac disease characterized analysis identified a reduction in Striatin mRNA. Dogs that by ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. It is were homozygous for the deletion had a more severe form most frequently inherited as an autosomal dominant trait of disease based on a significantly higher number of ven- with incomplete and age-related penetrance and variable tricular premature complexes. Immunofluorescence studies clinical expression. The human disease is most commonly localized Striatin to the intercalated disc region of the associated with a causative mutation in one of several cardiac myocyte and co-localized it to three desmosomal genes encoding desmosomal proteins. We have previously proteins, Plakophilin-2, Plakoglobin and Desmoplakin, all described a spontaneous canine model of ARVC in the involved in the pathogenesis of ARVC in human beings. boxer dog. We phenotyped adult boxer dogs for ARVC by We suggest that Striatin may serve as a novel candidate performing physical examination, echocardiogram and gene for human ARVC. ambulatory electrocardiogram. Genome-wide association using the canine 50k SNP array identified several regions of association, of which the strongest resided on chromo- Introduction some 17.
    [Show full text]
  • Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy—Recognition & Clinical
    Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy—Recognition & Clinical Management Kathryn M. Meurs, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology) The Ohio State University Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a syndrome characterized by impaired myocardial function (systolic +/- diastolic), ventricular dilation and frequently, tachyarrhythmias. In the dog, specific breed predispositions exist and the Doberman pinscher, Great Dane, Scottish deerhound, and Irish wolfhound appear to be over represented. This discussion will emphasize breed specific findings and newer developments in the understanding of etiologies, clinical presentation, diagnosis, screening and treatment for canine DCM as well as arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in the Boxer. ETIOLOGY The etiology of canine DCM is unknown in many cases. The development of DCM is likely to be a multifactorial process that could involve nutritional, familial and infectious agents. In some cases, there is evidence of a specific nutritional or familial link.1-5 Nutritional In 1991, a family of Boxers with dilated cardiomyopathy (historically known as Type III Boxer cardiomyopathy) was identified as having a myocardial L-carnitine deficiency.2 Affected dogs demonstrated some reversal of disease with L- carnitine supplementation.2 However, affected dogs eventually died from their heart disease, even while on supplementation. L-carnitine deficiency does not appear to be the cause of DCM in the majority of Boxers, or in other breeds. However, it is still considered a potential etiology for Boxers with DCM and supplementation should be considered for these rare cases. Some American Cocker Spaniels have been reported to develop DCM associated with low taurine levels.3 Taurine supplementation may result in reversal of the disease and a significantly better prognosis.
    [Show full text]
  • Natural History of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy in the Boxer Dog: a Prospective Study
    J Vet Intern Med 2014;28:1214–1220 Natural History of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy in the Boxer Dog: A Prospective Study K.M. Meurs, J.A. Stern, Y. Reina-Doreste, A.W. Spier, S.L. Koplitz, and R.D. Baumwart Background: Boxer arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a disease that may result in sudden death or heart failure. Hypothesis/objectives: To prospectively study the natural history of Boxer ARVC. Animals: 72 dogs (49 ARVC, 23 controls). Methods: Boxers >1 year of age were recruited for annual reevaluation. Controls were defined as being ≥6 years of age and having <50 ventricular premature complex (VPCs)/24 h. ARVC was defined as ≥300 VPCs/24 h in the absence of other disease. Dogs were genotyped for the striatin deletion when possible. Descriptive statistics were determined for age; VPC number; annual change in VPC number; and left ventricular (LV) echocardiographic dimensions. Survival time was calculated. Results: Controls: median age of 7 years (range, 6–10); number of VPCs 12 (range, 4–32). Median time in study of 6 years (range, 2–9). Seventeen of 23 were genotyped (5 positive, 12 negative).ARVC: median age of diagnosis of 6 (range, 1–11). Median time in study 5 years (range, 3–8). A total of 33% were syncopal and 43/49 were genotyped (36 positive, 7 negative). Yearly change in VPCs was 46 (range, À7,699 to 33,524). Annual percentage change in LV dimensions was 0, and change in fractional shortening (FS%) was 2%. Two dogs had FS% <20%. Although ARVC dogs died suddenly, there was no difference in survival time between groups.
    [Show full text]
  • Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy in Boxer Dogs: a Retrospective Study of Survival
    Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in Boxer dogs: A retrospective study of survival. A. Caro-Vadillo DVM, PhD1, L. García-Guasch DVM, PhD2, E. Carretón DVM3, J.A. Montoya- Alonso DVM, PhD3, J. Manubens DVM2 1Medicina y Cirugía Animal. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. University Complutense of Madrid. Madrid, Spain. 2Hospital Veterinari Molins. Barcelona, Spain. 3Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain There was a significant association ARVC in Boxer dogs is a familial disease between median survival time (MST) and apparently inherited as an autosomal VT (P< 0.001); between survival and the dominant trait. It is an adult-onset number of VPCs in Holter monitoring myocardial disease. Affected dogs can (P=0.01); between survival and Holter class have many different presentations ranging (P=0.03); between survival and presence or from being totally asymptomatic to sudden absence of syncopal episodes (P=0.012) cardiac death. The aim of the present study and, finally, there was a significant was to retrospectively evaluate survival in a association between survival and age at population of 62 Boxer dogs with initiation of treatment (P<0.001). Figure 1 & arrhythmogenic right ventricular 2 There were no differences with regards to cardiomyopathy (ARVC), without left survival, among the three treatment options ventricular systolic failure, based on the used, with a MST of 365 days for sotalol following factors: age of diagnosis, treatment, a MST of 365 days for mexiletine presence of syncopal episodes, Holter plus atenolol treatment and a MST of 547 arrhythmia classification and administered for procainamide treatment.
    [Show full text]
  • Boxer Cardiomyopathy
    BOXER CARDIOMYOPATHY BASICS OVERVIEW • A familial cardiomyopathy of boxers characterized by ventricular and atrial arrhythmias, variable degrees of myocardial dysfunction, congestive heart failure, and sudden cardiac death • The first manifestations of the disease are transient ventricular arrhythmias. As the disease progresses, myocardial dysfunction occurs is approximately 30-40% of cases. SIGNALMENT • occurs in all ages, most common in 4-8 year old boxers • a genetic basis is very likely • incidence is slightly higher in males SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS General • Variable depending on stage and presence of myocardial dysfunction Historical Findings • In some boxers, the first sign of disease is sudden death • There may be a history of syncope or collapse • Relatives may be similarly affected Physical Exam Findings • An irregular cardiac rhythm may be present in advanced cases • A systolic murmur is found in cases with mitral regurgitation and myocardial dysfunction CAUSES & RISK FACTORS • Unknown, genetic basis likely DIAGNOSIS DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS • Other causes of episodic weakness or collapse (Addison’s disease, hypoglycemia) • Dilated cardiomyopathy, viral myocarditis LABORATORY TESTS • CBC and profile are usually within normal limits OTHER TESTS Thoracic Radiographs • The cardiac silhouette is within normal limits unless there is accompanying myocardial dysfunction Echocardiography • There are no structural abnormalities until late in the course of disease. When myocardial dysfunction occurs, there is left ventricular and left atrial dilatation and a decrease in fractional shortening. Electrocardiogram • May be within normal limits considering the transient arrhythmias typical of the disease. The hallmark is the occurrence of ventricular premature complexes with a left bundle branch block pattern. Holter monitoring • Continuous ambulatory electrocardiography for 24 hours (Holter monitoring) is currently the most sensitive diagnostic tool.
    [Show full text]
  • Boxer Cardiomyopathy
    BOXER CARDIOMYOPATHY by: Wendy Wallner, DVM What is Boxer cardiomyopathy? Boxer cardiomyopathy as we know it consists primarily of an electrical conduction disorder which causes the heart to beat erratically (to have an arrhythmia) some of the time. If the erratic beats occur infrequently and singly, the dog will probably not have symptoms of heart disease. If the erratic beats occur in sequence, weakness, collapse or sudden death may result. These arrhythmias may or may not be detected by listening to the heart with a stethoscope. Whether or not they are detected depends on the frequency of the abnormal rhythm. If frequent, they can easily be heard with a stethoscope. The arrhythmia usually consists of VPCs (ventricular premature contractions) that are heard as an extra beat or a skipped beat that do not have a corresponding pulse. To identify these, the listener must therefore have one hand on the stethoscope holding it to the chest and one hand feeling for a pulse (usually at the femoral artery on the inside of the hind leg). In the normal functioning heart, there is a pulse for every beat that is heard. When a VPC occurs, a beat is heard through the stethoscope (and it sounds like a stutter as it is not in the normal rhythm sequence of the sinus beats), but there is no pulse to go with it. These VPCs have a characteristic pattern on an ECG and this is the way they are confirmed. Often this is the first abnormality noticed in a boxer with cardiomyopathy. Usually the dog is having no symptoms of heart disease when these are noticed by a veterinarian during a routine exam.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Systolic and Diastolic Function Vta Tissue Doppler Echocardiography in Boxers
    ASSESSMENT OF SYSTOLIC AND DIASTOLIC FUNCTION VTA TISSUE DOPPLER ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN BOXERS AFFECTED WITH ARVC COMPARED TO NORMAL BOXERS AND NON-BOXER CONTROL DOGS A Thesis Presented to The Faculty of Graduate Studies of The University of Guelph by JEREMY ORR In partial fulfilment of requirements for the degree of Doctor of Veterinary Science February, 2011 © Jeremy Orr, 2011 Library and Archives Bibliotheque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 OttawaONK1A0N4 Canada Canada Your We Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-82828-1 Our file Notre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-82828-1 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'Internet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non­ support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriete du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in this et des droits moraux qui protege cette these. Ni thesis. Neither the thesis nor la these ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci substantial extracts from it may be ne doivent etre imprimes ou autrement printed or otherwise reproduced reproduits sans son autorisation.
    [Show full text]
  • Genotype-Phenotype Associations in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy, with a Focus on the Arrhythmic Risk
    Genotype-Phenotype Associations in Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy, with a Focus on the Arrhythmic Risk Annina S. Vischer BACKGROUND 2 HUMANS 2 RISK OF SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH AND RECURRENT ARRHYTHMIA 2 DEFIBRILLATION SAFETY MARGIN TESTING 2 HEART FAILURE 2 BOXER DOGS 3 AIMS 3 HUMANS 3 RISK OF SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH AND RECURRENT ARRHYTHMIA 3 DEFIBRILLATION SAFETY MARGIN TESTING 3 HEART FAILURE 3 BOXER DOGS 3 METHODS 4 HUMANS 4 BOXER DOGS 5 MAIN RESULTS 5 HUMANS 5 RISK OF SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH AND RECURRENT ARRHYTHMIA: RISK SCORE 5 HEART FAILURE IN PATIENTS WITH ARRHYTHMOGENIC RIGHT VENTRICULAR CARDIOMYOPATHY: GENETIC AND CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS. 6 ICD DEFIBRILLATION SAFETY MARGIN TESTING IN PATIENTS WITH ARRHYTHMOGENIC RIGHT VENTRICULAR CARDIOMYOPATHY 6 BOXER DOGS 7 THE PHENOTYPE OF ARRHYTHMOGENIC CARDIOMYOPATHY IN BOXER DOGS 7 PUBLICATIONS 7 HUMANS 7 BOXER DOGS 8 PUBLISHED REVIEWS 8 REFERENCES 8 1 Background Humans Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a genetically determined heart muscle disorder characterized by disruption of the myocytic architecture resulting in electrical instability and increased risk of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (1). Risk of sudden cardiac death and recurrent arrhythmia Although the overall risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) is low (2), ARVC has been reported to be an important cause of SCD in adults younger than 35 years, accounting for up to 11% of SCD cases (3–5) and with up to 30% in athletes (6–8). The 2006 ACC/AHA/ESC guidelines recommend the use of an ICD in patients with ARVC and documented VT or VF (9). Risk stratification overall remains imperfect, as has recently been underlined by the Task Force Consensus Statement on Treatment (10).
    [Show full text]