title: Evaluation of the diagnostic value of an implantable loop recorder in dogs with unexplained syncope.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the diagnostic value of an implantable loop recorder (ILR) in dogs with unexplained syncope.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  12 dogs with recurrent unexplained syncope.
  
  
  METHODS
  An ILR was surgically inserted in a pocket created in the subcutaneous tissues of the left hemithorax of each dog. The ILRs were programmed for manual and automatic activation, and event analysis and programming were performed at 3-month intervals and after each syncopal episode.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The ILR was manually activated in 7 of 12 dogs at least once within 45 to 218 days (median, 120 days) after implantation. Four dogs had syncopal episodes associated with sinus tachycardia followed by sinus bradycardia and asystolic pauses. Two dogs had ventricular tachycardia, and 1 dog had sinus node dysfunction with prolonged sinus arrest that coincided with loss of consciousness and falling. Four dogs had no additional syncopal episodes after implantation of the ILR. In the remaining dog, the owner was unable to activate the ILR during the only syncopal episode observed for that dog after ILR implantation. In all 12 dogs, analysis of ECG traces after automatic activation of recording revealed normal cardiac rhythms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data gained after manual activation of an ILR provided valuable diagnostic and prognostic information in almost all dogs with unexplained syncopal episodes by confirming or disproving an association between syncope and arrhythmias. However, detection of disturbances in cardiac rhythm after automatic activation did not appear to improve the diagnostic value for an ILR implanted in dogs.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Veterinaria Malpensa, Via Marconi, 27, 21017 Samarate, Varese, Italy. rasantil@tin.it
authors.forename: Roberto A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Santilli
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ferasin
authors.forename: Simona G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Voghera
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Perego
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D001919:Bradycardia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000662:veterinary; D022062:Electrophysiologic Techniques, Cardiac / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013575:Syncope / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary