Cardiac pacemaker implant to boxer with 2nd degree Mobitz atrioventricular block.

Abstract

The diseases of the cardiovascular system are frequent with dogs and are due to a varied and many times complex etiology. The atrioventricular bloc was the first requirement for stimulation and still is the most common reason for stimulator implanting. The endocardial or pericardial (pacemaker) artificial electric stimulators represent the sole sustainable therapeutic solution. The case being the object of this work is a Boxer breed female, aged 12 years, who came to the Surgery Clinic of Spiru Haret University following a syncope and a pain of unknown origin occurring during the sleep. The diagnosis set was 2nd to 3rd Mobitz degree atrioventricular block and it was decided that the sole long term treatment is a cardiac pacemaker implant. Surgery was conducted under general anesthesia, by administering 0.02 – 0.04 mg/kg i.m. and Butorphanol 0.2 – 0.4 mg/kg i.m. as pre-medication. Induction was conducted with Propofol 4 – 6 mg/kg i.v. and maintenance was conducted with sevofluranum inhaled anesthesia. The epicardial pacemaker implant was made trans-diaphragmatically, the animal placed in decubitus dorsal position and under general anesthesia, with assisted ventilation and intense cardiac monitoring. The stimulator implanting, as an invasive procedure, though involving the risk of complications and failures, not only in the immediate post-surgery period, but also in the log run, was the sole effective solution in the given situation.