Heart Diseases in Small Animals

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Companion Animals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 May 2024) | Viewed by 8553

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Veterinary Internal Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo, Japan
Interests: veterinary medicine; echocardiography; speckle tracking; cardiology; mitral valve disease; pulmonary hypertension; cardiomyopathy; congestive heart failure
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Heart disease is an important condition that is commonly seen in clinical practice of small animals. Dogs and cats with heart disease often suffer from reduced quality of life and prognosis, which poses a great challenge for owners and veterinarians. In recent years, new findings and methods for diagnosis and treatment of heart disease in small animals have been reported one after another, thanks to the advancement of medical technology and imaging technology. This Special Issue invites a wide range of research articles and clinical cases related to heart disease in small animals. We welcome papers from any field related to heart disease in small animals, such as cardiology, echocardiography, electrocardiography, cardiac biomarkers, newly developed cardiologic diagnostic tools, cardiac physiology, cardiovascular pharmacology, novel treatment, and comparative pathology. The aim of this Special Issue is to share cutting-edge knowledge on heart disease in small animals and to contribute to future research and clinical practice.

Dr. Ryohei Suzuki
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • echocardiography
  • electrocardiography
  • cardiac biomarker
  • myocardial function
  • mitral valve disease
  • cardiomyopathy
  • pulmonary hypertension
  • congenital heart disease
  • congestive heart failure
  • arrhythmias

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 875 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Galectin-3 in Dogs with Atrial Fibrillation
by Giulia Arcuri, Carlotta Valente, Giovanni Romito, Federico Bonsembiante, Chiara Mazzoldi, Barbara Contiero, Helen Poser and Carlo Guglielmini
Animals 2024, 14(17), 2547; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14172547 - 2 Sep 2024
Viewed by 950
Abstract
Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a lectin associated with fibrosis and inflammation, and increased circulating concentrations are considered a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) in humans. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the serum concentration of Gal-3 in dogs with cardiac disease, both with [...] Read more.
Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a lectin associated with fibrosis and inflammation, and increased circulating concentrations are considered a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) in humans. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the serum concentration of Gal-3 in dogs with cardiac disease, both with and without AF. Dogs with AF associated with acquired heart diseases were selected, while cardiac healthy dogs and dogs with heart diseases but without AF served as controls. We statistically compared the serum concentration of Gal-3, which was assessed using a commercial canine-specific ELISA kit, among healthy dogs and dogs with heart disease with and without AF. Additionally, associations between Gal-3 and clinical and echocardiographic variables were evaluated. A total of 73 dogs were included, of which 17/73 (23.3%) were cardiac healthy and 56/73 (76.7%) had heart disease, with 26/56 (46.4%) having AF. No significant difference in Gal-3 concentration was found between cardiac healthy dogs (3.90 ± 1.65 ng/mL) and dogs with heart disease, either with or without AF (3.37 ± 1.04 ng/mL, p = 0.436 and 4.68 ± 1.80 ng/mL, p = 0.332, respectively). Gal-3 showed a significant positive correlation with age (r = 0.47, p < 0.001) and a negative correlation with body weight (r = −0.45, p < 0.001). The results of this study suggest that Gal-3 does not have an important role in the development of AF in dogs, but it is associated with advanced age. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heart Diseases in Small Animals)
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8 pages, 1172 KiB  
Communication
Evaluation of Alacepril Administration in Canine Patent Ductus Arteriosus According to Plasma Chymase Activity
by Kazumi Shimada, Miki Hirose, Lina Hamabe, Shinji Takai, Denan Jin, Zeki Yilmaz, Meric Kocaturk and Ryou Tanaka
Animals 2024, 14(7), 1078; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071078 - 2 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1762
Abstract
Chymase in the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) actively contributes to cardiac disease progression. Chymase is activated to produce angiotensin II during tissue injury and is involved in hemodynamics. A recent study demonstrated that plasma chymase activity reflects hemodynamic changes and aids in understanding patent [...] Read more.
Chymase in the renin–angiotensin system (RAS) actively contributes to cardiac disease progression. Chymase is activated to produce angiotensin II during tissue injury and is involved in hemodynamics. A recent study demonstrated that plasma chymase activity reflects hemodynamic changes and aids in understanding patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) pathophysiology. The present study examined the relationship between plasma chymase activity and the administration of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor. Alacepril was administered to 13 puppies with PDA. Conventional echocardiographic parameters and non-invasive blood pressure were measured before and after medication. Plasma chymase activity was calculated using the colorimetric absorbance method. Plasma chymase activity significantly increased, but blood pressure significantly decreased. We detected an increase in plasma chymase activity due to ACE inhibition in PDA cases treated with alacepril. Plasma chymase activity was affected and altered by alacepril. In veterinary medicine, plasma chymase activity may be a novel method for assessing the pathology of and therapy for cardiac diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heart Diseases in Small Animals)
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12 pages, 30799 KiB  
Case Report
Surgical Correction of Infundibular Muscular Ventricular Septal Defect in a Cat: A Case Report
by Takuma Aoki, Tomomi Terakado, Yao Jingya, Kentaro Iwasaki, Hayato Shimoda, Naoyuki Fukamachi and Takashi Miyamoto
Animals 2024, 14(12), 1736; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14121736 - 8 Jun 2024
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Abstract
Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) can lead to congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, particularly in patients with large shunts. However, no surgical treatment for feline VSD has been reported. Here, we elucidated the first surgical correction of an infundibular muscular VSD in a [...] Read more.
Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) can lead to congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, particularly in patients with large shunts. However, no surgical treatment for feline VSD has been reported. Here, we elucidated the first surgical correction of an infundibular muscular VSD in a one-year-old Ragdoll cat, atypically located and classified under the Soto classification rather than the standard Kirklin classification, through cardiac arrest using cardiopulmonary bypass—a method rarely used in feline cardiac surgery. Detailed echocardiography revealed that the defect required intervention owing to left heart and main pulmonary artery enlargement. Despite the VSD being located on the contralateral side, as anticipated in the preoperative examinations, the choice of median sternotomy allowed for the successful closure of the defect. Conversely, the insertion of two cannulas into the ascending aorta resulted in damage to the adjacent thoracic duct, causing transient chylothorax, which was resolved with conservative treatment. Cardiac arrest induced by a cardioplegic solution facilitated the surgical procedure, although it leads to anemia in cats. However, on postoperative day 490, the patient exhibited only minor residual shunting, with normalized heart size, and remained healthy. This technique appears to be a viable treatment option for congenital heart disease in cats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heart Diseases in Small Animals)
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9 pages, 2688 KiB  
Case Report
Evidence of Pneumopericardium after Elective Ovariectomy in a Peritoneopericardial Diaphragmatic Hernia-Affected Dog: A Case Report
by Debora Campanile, Mariateresa Cafaro, Serena Paci, Michele Panarese, Giammarino Sparapano, Marina Masi and Antonio De Simone
Animals 2024, 14(4), 633; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14040633 - 16 Feb 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2657
Abstract
Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH) is an opening between the pericardial sac and the pleuroperitoneal membrane. Pneumopericardium is an infrequent complication of PPDH. This condition is a serious circumstance in which free gas accumulates in the pericardial sac. The present report describes the occurrence [...] Read more.
Peritoneopericardial diaphragmatic hernia (PPDH) is an opening between the pericardial sac and the pleuroperitoneal membrane. Pneumopericardium is an infrequent complication of PPDH. This condition is a serious circumstance in which free gas accumulates in the pericardial sac. The present report describes the occurrence of pneumopericardium and pericardial effusion after elective ovariectomy in a dog affected by PPDH. The presence of an umbilical and diaphragmatic hernia was highlighted during ovariectomy, and a pneumopericardium was seen during an X-ray exam. At the time of admission to the hospital, the dog was asymptomatic. The diagnosis was performed by X-ray and ultrasonographic exams. Computed tomography examination confirmed the diagnosis and directed for a surgical approach of the congenital defect. Surgery resulted in resolution of PPDH and of pneumopericardium. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Heart Diseases in Small Animals)
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