Acute echocardiographic effects of sotalol on ventricular systolic function in dogs with ventricular arrhythmias

Abstract

BackgroundSotalol is a commonly used antiarrhythmic drug that may alter ventricular function.ObjectiveTo determine the effect of sotalol on echocardiographic indices of ventricular systolic function in dogs with ventricular arrhythmias.AnimalsThirty‐five client‐owned dogs with ventricular arrhythmias.MethodsDogs with ventricular arrhythmias (n = 27) had an echocardiogram and 5‐minute ECG performed at baseline and 2‐4 hours post‐sotalol (2‐2.5 mg/kg PO once). Eight additional dogs underwent the same protocol but did not receive sotalol (within‐day variability controls). Left ventricular (LV) internal dimension at end‐systole normalized to bodyweight (LVIDs_N), LV ejection fraction (LV EF), LV shortening area, LV fractional shortening, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), and right ventricular systolic myocardial velocity were evaluated as indices of systolic function.ResultsAll indices except TAPSE had mild decreases in systolic function post‐sotalol (all P ≤ .0007) compared with baseline but only the percent change in LVIDs_N and LV EF were significantly (P ≤ .0079) different from the percent change of the same indices in control dogs. Sinus heart rate, ventricular premature complexes/5‐minutes, and arrhythmia grade also were decreased post‐sotalol (all P ≤ .01) compared with baseline when assessed by a 5‐minutes ECG. No dog experienced an adverse event post‐sotalol, including dogs with systolic dysfunction or atrial enlargement.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceA single dose of sotalol may cause a mild decrease in LV systolic function in dogs with ventricular arrhythmias. Sotalol appears to be well tolerated, even in dogs with atrial enlargement or systolic dysfunction.

Cardiac diagnostic test results and outcomes in 44 dogs naturally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi

“…For the purposes of this study, an ECG abnormality included any of the following 3 categories: conduction abnormality, abnormal interval duration or amplitude measurement, or a rhythm diagnosis other than sinus rhythm, sinus arrhythmia, sinus tachycardia, and sinus bradycardia. Ventricular arrhythmias were assigned a modified Lown score as follows: 1 = single ventricular premature complexes, 2 = ventricular bigeminy or trigeminy, 3 = accelerated idioventricular rhythm, 4 = ventricular couplets or triplets, 5 = ventricular tachycardia or R‐on‐T phenomenon 30‐32 . The highest grade observed was the grade assigned.…”

“…Ventricular arrhythmias were assigned a modified Lown score as follows: 1 = single ventricular premature complexes, 2 = ventricular bigeminy or trigeminy, 3 = accelerated idioventricular rhythm, 4 = ventricular couplets or triplets, 5 = ventricular tachycardia or R-on-T phenomenon. [30][31][32] The highest grade observed was the grade assigned. Supraventricular arrhythmias were categorized as supraventricular premature complexes, supraventricular tachycardia, or atrial fibrillation.…”

Comparison of in‐hospital continuous electrocardiography versus recordable Holter monitoring in dogs with ventricular arrhythmias

“…A modified Lown score was used to grade the arrhythmia severity (Table 1). 8,9 The Lown grading system was chosen to allow for objective comparison between modalities and assignment of arrhythmia severity for each time point. This grading system was not validated to evaluate outcome, morbidity, or mortality in this population.…”

Trypanosoma cruzi infection diagnosed in dogs in nonendemic areas and results from a survey suggest a need for increased Chagas disease awareness in North America

“…Ventricular arrhythmias were assigned a modified Lown score as follows: 1 = single ventricular premature complexes, 2 = ventricular bigeminy or trigeminy, 3 = accelerated idioventricular rhythm, 4 = ventricular couplets or triplets, and 5 = ventricular tachycardia, R-on-T phenomenon, or both. [15][16][17] When available, 24-hour Holter monitor data were recorded and graded similarly to the ECG. Echocardiographic data obtained by board-certified cardiologists or supervised cardiology residents included left ventricular internal dimensions at end-diastole (LVIDd) and end-systole (LVIDs) from M-mode measurements normalized to body weight (LVIDdN and LVIDsN).…”