title: Syncope associated with paroxysmal atrioventricular block an ventricular standstill in a cat.
abstract: A four-and-a-half-year-old neutered male shorthair cat was presented with a three-week history of episodic fainting. Twenty-four hour electrocardiographic (Holter) recording revealed frequent prolonged episodes of complete atrioventricular (AV) block with ventricular standstill. The fainting episodes coincided with the longest periods of ventricular inactivity. A permanent transjugular pacemaker was placed to prevent further life-threatening episodes of syncope. Three months after discharge, the patient was re-presented with sudden onset dyspnoea associated with chylothorax and electrocardiography showed a third degree (complete) AV block. The pacemaker was reprogrammed in view of the third degree AV block and the chylous effusion was successfully treated by repeated thoracocentesis and long-term diuresis. However, the patient's general condition deteriorated progressively and the cat was euthanased five and a half months after implantation of the pacemaker.
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol, Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, Langford House.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferasin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: van de Stad
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rudorf
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Langford
authors.forename: Moore A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hotston
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy*; D002415:Cats; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / Q000662:veterinary; D006327:Heart Block / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary*; D011859:Radiography; D013575:Syncope / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*