Message Number: YG14275 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Sukie Crandall
Date: 2002-06-27 20:50:00 UTC
Subject: Here is most of Seven of Six's EKG/ECG report

Part kind of squished on the copy and can't be read, but most can.
It's from a place that did the Electrocardiogram for her. (Yes, i
know that saying the "K" instead of "C" dates me...)

She is home now on Aminophylline which has helped a huge amount.

ECG

Complaint:
History of normal HR prior to exploratory surgery. During surgery
and recovery this patient has remained bradycardic.

Rate:
atrial rate is 220 bpm
ventricular rate is 40 to 60 bpm

P-QRS-T:
The p is decreased in amplitude but does occur regularly and totally
independent of the QRS or ventricular rate of 40 to 60 bpm. The QRS
is positive but wide and variable in height.

***Sukie note: I do not know about some of the stuff either above or
below so if someone who wants to explain them... (?) Thanks, I
appreciate it. Is it the strength of the beats, with p for atrial,
and QRS for ventricular? Meanwhile, I will also pull out my vet
dictionary and the like.***

ECG Assessment:
The low amplitude of the p wave is most likely secondary to the
pulmonary edema. A complete heart block is present with an
idioventricular and occasional junctional escape beat.

The clinical signs associated with complete heart block are usually
syncopal however, occasionally congestive heart failure is seen.

Complete heart block is most often seen in older patients with
fibrosis in the conduction pathways (especially Cocker Spaniels).
This is unlikely in this patient baased on history and normal heart
rate prior to surgery. A toxicity secondary to systemic disease
(pancreatitis) should be suspected. Hyperkalemia or myocardial
infarction may also cause this conduction disturbance. In cats,
hyper trophic cardiomyopathy and in dogs Lymes disease are
differentials.

Therapeutic Recommendations:
...bronchodilator may be tried to speed the heart rate while
differentials are pursued.
(This is where the copy machine bunched th lines so most is lost. Can
only make out part of one line.)

Diagnostic recommendations:
your basic lab work and echocardiogram will be ideal in the workup.
I would certainly appreciate a follow-up...
(The rest was contact data since she wants to know what happens.)