title: Applications, complications, and outcomes of transvenous pacemaker implantation in 105 dogs (1997-2002).
abstract: We reviewed the indications for age and breeds of dogs who received transvenous endocardial artificial pacemaker (AP) implantation (n = 105) and complications and survival thereafter at a single institution over a 6-year period. A third-degree atrioventricular (AV) block (59%) and sick sinus syndrome (SSS; 27%) were the most common indications, along with a high-grade second-degree AV block (9%) and atrial standstill (5%). The most common breeds identified were Labrador Retriever (n = 16; 11 with a third-degree AV block), American Cocker Spaniel (n = 14; 10 with SSS), and Miniature Schnauzer (n = 13; all with SSS). Common presenting complaints were syncope (n = 66) and exercise intolerance or lethargy (n = 25). Half of the dogs (n = 52) had a history of acute onset of clinical signs (<2 weeks). Mean survival time for the 60 dogs who died during the study period was 2.2 years (range, 0.1-5.8 years). Major complications occurred in 13% of dogs and included lead displacement (n = 7), sensing problems that led to syncope (n = 3), infection at the pacemaker site (n = 1), bleeding (n = 1), and ventricular fibrillation during implantation (n = 1; successfully defibrillated). Minor complications occurred in 11 dogs (11%). The success rate of transvenous AP implantation was comparatively high (all dogs survived the first 48 hours), and the complication rate was comparatively low when compared with a previous multicenter study, most likely because of how commonly the procedure was performed and supervisory experience.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, USA. gwess@lmu.de
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wess
authors.forename: William P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Denise M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Kittleson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006327:Heart Block / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000662:veterinary*; D012804:Sick Sinus Syndrome / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome