Outflow tract segmental arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy in an English Bulldog

J Vet Cardiol. 2009 Jun;11(1):47-51. doi: 10.1016/j.jvc.2009.03.006. Epub 2009 May 23.

Abstract

A 5-year-old English Bulldog was presented for acute onset of syncope and fatigue caused by sustained ventricular tachycardia with left bundle block morphology and inferior axis. This arrhythmia had the electrocardiographic features of a ventricular tachycardia arising from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), as described in an experimental canine model and in people. Since a RVOT aneurysm was identified by echocardiography, a segmental form of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) was suspected. Gross examination of the heart confirmed the bulging of the RVOT and histological examination of the ventricular myocardium revealed segmental involvement of the RVOT with transmural fibro-fatty degeneration. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first reported case of AVRC in an English Bulldog and the first example of segmental AVRC described in the dog.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / complications
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / drug therapy
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / pathology
  • Arrhythmias, Cardiac / veterinary*
  • Cardiomyopathies / complications
  • Cardiomyopathies / drug therapy
  • Cardiomyopathies / pathology
  • Cardiomyopathies / veterinary*
  • Cardiovascular Agents / therapeutic use
  • Dog Diseases / drug therapy
  • Dog Diseases / pathology*
  • Dogs
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / complications
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / drug therapy
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / pathology
  • Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / veterinary*

Substances

  • Cardiovascular Agents