Electrocardiographic findings in dogs with SIRS diagnosis
Several studies performed in humans have demonstrated that the onset of systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) represents a high-risk condition that could lead to myocardial damage and arrhythmias. The authors of this study also hypothesized cardiac involvement for dogs affected by SIRS.
To assess this hypothesis, the team enrolled 24 dogs with a diagnosis of SIRS (13 intact males, seven females and four spayed females) with an age ranging from 4 to 11 years and an average weight of 24 kg.
The dogs were divided into two groups according to their prognosis: Survivors (G1) and non-survivors (G2), composed of 13 and 11 dogs, respectively. Researchers also enrolled healthy dogs in the study as the control group. All dogs with a history of cardiac or renal disease were excluded. At the inclusion, each patient underwent a physical examination and a complete cell count. The team performed a biochemistry panel (including electrolyte profile). The blood cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) was measured. For each clinical variable indicative of SIRS, a score between 0 (absence) and 1 (presence) was applied. In addition, the team recorded an electrocardiographic examination.
Based on the findings, 17 of 24 or 71% of the dogs with SIRS showed arrhythmias, of which n. 6 belonged to the G1, while n. 11 belonged to the G2.
Most represented findings were sinus tachycardia, followed by monomorphic premature ventricular beats. Less common were first-degree atrioventricular block and sinus bradycardia.
Notably, in G1 dogs, only sinus tachycardia and premature ventricular beats were observed by the team. G2 dogs presented total and banded leukocytes significantly higher than those of G1. The clinical score suggestive of SIRS was significantly higher in G2 than in G1 dogs. Moreover, a significantly higher value of cTnI was observed in the G2 group compared to the G1 group.
The researchers concluded that data suggested cardiac involvement in dogs with SIRS, analogously to humans, that may significantly influence the patient's prognosis.
Michela Pugliese et al. “Electrocardiographic Findings and Cardiac Troponin I Assay in Dogs with SIRS Diagnosis.” Vet Sci. 24 November 2022. 9(12):655. doi: 10.3390/vetsci9120655.
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