Dogs with BOAS had significantly higher heart rate variability over 24 hours compared to controls, particularly in cSDNN (0.365 vs 0.246 ms, P=0.0058) and cRMSSD (0.476 vs 0.312 ms, P=0.0119).
Cross-Sectional (n=46)
Does brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome alter heart rate variability in dogs during wakefulness and sleep?
The presence of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome in dogs significantly alters autonomic modulation, leading to increased heart rate variability, particularly during wakefulness.
Absolute Event Rate: 0.365% vs 0.246%
p-value: p=.0058
Abstract Background Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) affects the upper airways of brachycephalic dogs and might alter heart rate variability (HRV). Hypothesis/Objectives This study aimed to evaluate HRV in dogs with BOAS during wakefulness and sleep. Animals Forty-six client-owned dogs: 34 brachycephalic (with and without BOAS) and 12 non-brachycephalic controls. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study utilizing 24-h Holter monitoring and segments recorded during wakefulness and sleep. The evaluated variables included heart rate, mean RR interval, the longest sinus pause, and HRV indices calculated over 24 h, as well as during segments of wakefulness and sleep: corrected standard deviation of NN intervals (cSDNN), corrected root mean square of successive differences (cRMSSD), the vagal tone index (VVTI), and Poincaré plot analysis. Results In the 24-h Holter analysis, BOAS dogs showed significantly higher values than controls, particularly in cSDNN (0.365 IQR: 0.306-0.465 vs 0.246 IQR: 0.208-0.359 ms, P = .0058) and cRMSSD (0.476 IQR: 0.409-0.599 vs 0.312 IQR: 0.259-0.462 ms, P = .0119). Sleep was associated with higher cSDNN, cRMSSD, and VVTI in all groups (StateSleep estimates: 0.105 95% CI, 0.062-0.149, 0.426 95% CI, 0.264-0.588, and 1.758 95% CI, 1.378-2.139, respectively; all P .001), with no significant group-by-state interaction for these variables. Presence of BOAS was moderately correlated with the longest sinus pause (r = 0.4197, P = .0023), cSDNN (r = 0.4600, P = .0006), and cRMSSD (r = 0.4214, P = .0018). Conclusions and clinical importance The presence of BOAS influences autonomic modulation more than the dogs’ craniofacial conformation. Differences in HRV were more pronounced in awake dogs, likely due to chronic respiratory alterations and intermittent hypoxia.
Buriticá-Gaviria et al. (Fri,) conducted a cross-sectional in Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) (n=46). Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) vs. Non-brachycephalic controls was evaluated on Corrected standard deviation of NN intervals (cSDNN) over 24 h (p=.0058). Dogs with BOAS had significantly higher heart rate variability over 24 hours compared to controls, particularly in cSDNN (0.365 vs 0.246 ms, P=0.0058) and cRMSSD (0.476 vs 0.312 ms, P=0.0119).