Use of ambulatory electrocardiography for detection of ventricular premature complexes in healthy dogs

Citation
Km. Meurs et al., Use of ambulatory electrocardiography for detection of ventricular premature complexes in healthy dogs, J AM VET ME, 218(8), 2001, pp. 1291
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Veterinary Medicine/Animal Health
Journal title
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
ISSN journal
00031488 → ACNP
Volume
218
Issue
8
Year of publication
2001
Database
ISI
SICI code
0003-1488(20010415)218:8<1291:UOAEFD>2.0.ZU;2-H
Abstract
Objective-To evaluate the use of 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography (AE CG) for the detection of ventricular premature complexes (VPC) in healthy d ogs. Design-Case series. Animals-50 healthy mature dogs. Procedure-A 24-hour AECG was performed on each dog and evaluated for the pr esence of VPC. Results-Fifty dogs weighing between 18.2 to 40.9 kg (40 and 90 lb) represen ting 13 breeds were evaluated, there were 4 sexually intact females, 21 spa yed females, 4 sexually intact males, and 21 castrated males. Ages ranged f rom 1 to 12 years. Thirty-four dogs had no VPC; 16 dogs had between 1 and 2 4 VPC, The grade of arrhythmia ranged from 1 to 4, with 4 dogs having an ar rhythmia with a grade a 1. Significant differences were not detected betwee n the group of dogs with VPC and those without VPC with regard to sex, age, and minimum, maximum, or mean heart rate. Conclusions and Clinical Relevance-We conclude that healthy mature dogs hav e infrequent VPC, as detected by use of 24-hour AECG. The presence of numer ous or sequential VPC may be suggestive of cardiac or systemic disease and may indicate the need for thorough clinical evaluation.