Left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy in a Fila Brasileiro dog

Open Vet J. 2022 Jul-Aug;12(4):495-501. doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2022.v12.i4.11. Epub 2022 Aug 1.

Abstract

Background: In human medicine, arrhythmogenic left ventricular cardiomyopathy was described as a primary disease of the heart characterized by fibroadipose replacement of the myocardium..

Case description: We report the case of a dog, with history of syncope and irregular cardiac rhythm. Electrocardiogram, echocardiography, and a 24-hour Holter monitoring showed, respectively, the presence of premature ventricular complexes with right bundle branch block morphology, an increase of the left ventricle end-diastolic diameter with preserved fractional shortening and ejection fraction, and a sinus arrhythmia as baseline rhythm with supraventricular tachycardia episodes and ventricular complexes with left bundle branch block morphology. After the death of the canine, a postmortem examination showed cardiomegaly. Fibroadipose replacement of the septum and both ventricles, with left ventricle myocardial fibrosis, suggestive of previous necrosis, was observed.

Conclusion: These findings are suggestive of left-dominant arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy which, to the best of our knowledge, has not been described in veterinary medicine.

Keywords: Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy; Canine; Left-dominant.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cardiomyopathies* / diagnosis
  • Cardiomyopathies* / veterinary
  • Dog Diseases* / diagnosis
  • Dogs
  • Echocardiography / veterinary
  • Electrocardiography / veterinary
  • Heart Ventricles
  • Humans