Applications, complications, and outcomes of transvenous pacemaker implantation in 105 dogs (1997-2002)

J Vet Intern Med. 2006 Jul-Aug;20(4):877-84. doi: 10.1892/0891-6640(2006)20[877:acaoot]2.0.co;2.

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.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dog Diseases / therapy*
  • Dogs
  • Female
  • Heart Block / therapy
  • Heart Block / veterinary*
  • Male
  • Pacemaker, Artificial / adverse effects
  • Pacemaker, Artificial / veterinary*
  • Sick Sinus Syndrome / therapy
  • Sick Sinus Syndrome / veterinary*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome