title: [The effect of hypothyroidism on cardiac function in dogs].
abstract: The thyroid hormones have direct and indirect effects on the heart. So it is possible that depression of left ventricular function is associated with hypothyroidism. This publication describes cardiac findings (auscultation, electrocardiography, echocardiography) in ten hypothyroid dogs. Low heart rates, reduced R-amplitudes and bradycardic arrhythmias (first and second-degree AV block) were found on the electrocardiogram before treatment. On the echocardiograms most of the dogs showed reduced contractillity and reduced left ventricular wall thickness. Seven dogs were reexamined after levothyroxine supplementation. Effects of treatment were increased heart rates and R-amplitudes as well as disappearance of the bradycardic arrhythmias in electrocardiographic examination. The echocardiographic examination showed increased contractility and increased left ventricular wall thickness.
authors.affiliation: Klinik für kleine Haustiere der Tierärztlichen Hochschule Hannover, Zentrumsabteilung für chemische Analytik und Endokrinologie der Tierärztlichen Hochschule Hannover.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Stephan
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.forename: H O
authors.initials: HO
authors.lastname: Hoppen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004285:Dogs; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006326:Heart Auscultation / Q000662:veterinary; D006339:Heart Rate; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013974:Thyroxine