Key result
Left atrial enlargement, increased weight, and Irish Wolfhound breed linked to AF in canine heart disease.
Why the study?
Risk factors for AF development have been identified in humans, but this information is less clearly available in dogs.
What are the risk factors for spontaneously occurring atrial fibrillation in dogs?
What are the risk factors for spontaneously occurring atrial fibrillation in dogs?
Unlike in humans, advanced age and male sex are not reliable risk factors for atrial fibrillation in dogs; instead, genetics, body weight, and left atrial enlargement are the primary drivers.
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Veterinarians should prioritize AF monitoring in Irish Wolfhounds and dogs with high body weight or left atrial enlargement; extends observational data by confirming these risks over age or sex.
Arcuri et al. (2024) studied this question. In dogs with cardiac diseases, genetics (Irish Wolfhound), increased body weight, and left atrial enlargement are key risk factors for developing atrial fibrillation.
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