Open AccessHeart Rate, Heart Rate Variability, and Arrhythmias in Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease
Author(s) -
Rasmussen C.E.,
Falk T.,
Zois N.E.,
Moesgaard S.G.,
Häggström J.,
Pedersen H.D.,
Åblad B.,
Nilsen H.Y.,
Olsen L.H.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of veterinary internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.356
H-Index - 103
eISSN - 1939-1676
pISSN - 0891-6640
DOI - 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.00842.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , heart failure , heart rate variability , sinus rhythm , heart rate , heart murmur , exercise intolerance , atrial fibrillation , blood pressure
Background Autonomic modulation of heart rhythm is thought to influence the pathophysiology of myxomatous mitral valve disease ( MMVD ). Hypotheses (1) Holter‐derived variables reflecting autonomic modulation of heart rhythm change with MMVD severity in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels ( CKCS ); (2) Holter‐derived variables can identify MMVD severity in CKCS ; and (3) Holter‐derived variables in CKCS in congestive heart failure ( CHF ) secondary to MMVD differ from those in dogs of other breeds in CHF . Animals Ninety privately owned dogs: 70 CKCS with variable MMVD severity and 20 non‐ CKCS in CHF secondary to MMVD . Methods Dogs were prospectively recruited and divided into 5 MMVD severity groups based on history, breed, and physical and echocardiographic examination findings. Holter‐derived variables included heart rate variability ( HRV ), heart rate ( HR ), and arrhythmia evaluated from 24‐hour Holter recordings. Results In CKCS , 18 of 26 HRV (all P < .0002) and 3 of 9 arrhythmia (all P < .0004) variables decreased with increasing MMVD , whereas minimum and mean HR (all P < .0001) increased with increasing MMVD severity. An arrhythmia variable representing sinus arrhythmia (“premature normals”) ( P < .0001) and the HRV variable triangular index ( TI ) ( P < .0001) could distinguish CKCS with moderate or severe mitral regurgitation from CKCS in CHF in specific intervals. Among dogs in CHF , Holter‐derived variables did not differ among breeds. Conclusions and Clinical Importance In CKCS , Holter‐derived variables changed with MMVD severity. “Premature normals” and TI showed diagnostic potential. Breed differences were not seen among dogs in CHF secondary to MMVD .