2017 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Dogs (n = 27) diagnosed with stable ventricular tachyarrhythmias were prospectively enrolled. Dogs had an echocardiogram and 5-minute ECG before and 2-3 hours post-sotalol. Systolic function was assessed during sinus rhythm via fractional shortening (FS), LV shortening area (LVSA), and modified Simpson's ejection fraction (EF). Number of ventricular premature complexes (VPCs)/5-min were tabulated and ventricular arrhythmias were graded: 0 = no VPCs, 1 = single VPCs, 2 = accelerated idioventricular rhythm, 3 = bigeminy/trigeminy, 4 = couplets/triplets, and 5 = ventricular tachycardia or R-on-T phenomenon. Echocardiographic and ECG measurements were performed in a blinded fashion. Number of VPCs/5-min, complexity grade, indices of LV systolic function and sinus heart rate were compared using a paired t-test (or Wilcoxon signed-rank test).