Key result
Ovario-salpingo-hysterectomy resulted in spontaneous reversal of third-degree atrioventricular block to sinus rhythm in a dog with pyometra and degenerative mitral valve disease.
Why the study?
Spontaneous reversion of third-degree atrioventricular block to normal sinus rhythm is very rare or exceptional in dogs.
Case Report (n=1)
No
Third-degree atrioventricular block associated with severe infection (pyometra) in a dog with underlying mitral valve disease can be reversible upon surgical elimination of the infection source.
Should not yet change pacing practice in dogs with complete AV block; leaves open whether concurrent pyometra identifies a reversible subset.
Third degree atrioventricular block is a severe arrhythmia, being the most common indication for artificial cardiac pacing in dogs. Spontaneous reversion to normal sinus rhythm is very rare or exceptional. A 12-year-old Poodle-Toy was referred because of history of abdominal enlargement, anorexia, vomiting and weakness. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed large pyometra. Then, a six-lead electrocardiogram presented third-degree atrioventricular block, while transthoracic Doppler echocardiography showed myxomatous mitral valve disease, presence of mitral, tricuspid and aortic regurgitation, accompanied by mitral and tricuspid diastolic insufficiency. Two days after the ovariohysterectomy, a new electrocardiogram revealed spontaneous reversal to the sinus rhythm, while the diastolic reflux of mitral and tricuspid valves disappeared. The patient showed rapid clinical amelioration and eight months after surgery was still alive, on treatment for heart failure. As far as we know, this is the first canine case of third-degree heart block, secondary to endocardiosis and pyometra, which was spontaneously reverted to sinus rhythm after surgery.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Almeida et al. (2020) conducted a case report in Third-degree atrioventricular block, degenerative mitral valve disease, pyometra (n=1). Ovario-salpingo-hysterectomy was evaluated on Reversal to sinus rhythm. Ovario-salpingo-hysterectomy resulted in spontaneous reversal of third-degree atrioventricular block to sinus rhythm in a dog with pyometra and degenerative mitral valve disease.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: