Bacterial endocarditis and increased cardiac troponin I levels in a brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) with an interventricular septal defect.

A brown howler monkey (Alouatta guariba clamitans) was presented with lethargy, hyporexia, cough and heart murmur. The complementary tests and necropsy revealed pleuropneumonia, bacterial endocarditis and interventricular septal defect. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of increased cardiac troponin I levels in this species.

Trigeminismo supraventricular em um cão com doença mixomatosa da valva mitral / Supraventricular trigeminy in a dog with myxomatous mitral valve disease

RESUMO: O trigeminismo supraventricular é um distúrbio incomum de formação do impulso elétrico cardíaco. Detectar e tratar arritmias cardíacas são um importante objetivo terapêutico em cardiologia. O objetivo desta nota é relatar a ocorrência de trigeminismo supraventricular em um cão com doença mixomatosa da valva mitral (DMVM). Um cão sem raça definida, macho, inteiro, 15 anos de idade e 13kg foi levado para avaliação cardíaca com um histórico de sopro cardíaco, tosse, dispneia e ascite. Os achados ecocardiográficos foram compatíveis com doença mixomatosa de valvas mitral e tricúspide com comprometimento hemodinâmico severo. A eletrocardiografia (ECG) revelou arritmia sinusal com presença de complexos supraventriculares prematuros isolados, aos pares e períodos de trigeminismo supraventricular. O trigeminismo supraventricular não é relatado em estudos retrospectivos e prospectivos que avaliaram arritmias cardíacas em um grande número de cães. O presente relato evidencia que o trigeminismo supraventricular pode ocorrer em cães com DMVM e comprometimento hemodinâmico severo, provavelmente relacionado à dilatação atrial. Ainda, reforça a importância da realização do ECG em cães com DMVM, complementando as informações ecocardiográficas e possibilitando uma melhor abordagem terapêutica.

ABSTRACT: Supraventricular trigeminy is an uncommon cardiac impulse formation disturbance. Detecting and treating cardiac arrhythmias is an important therapeutic goal in cardiology. The aim of this note is to report an occurrence of supraventricular trigeminy in a dog with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). A 15-year-old intact male mongrel dog weighing 13kg and with a history of heart murmur, cough, dyspnea, and ascites was referred for cardiac evaluation. Echocardiographic findings were consistent with a diagnosis of myxomatous mitral and tricuspid valves disease with a severe hemodynamic compromise. Electrocardiography (ECG) revealed a sinus arrhythmia with isolated supraventricular premature complexes, supraventricular couplets, and periods of supraventricular trigeminy. Previous retrospective and prospective studies that evaluated cardiac arrhythmias in dogs have not reported supraventricular trigeminy. The present report showed that supraventricular trigeminy may occur in dogs with MMVD with severe hemodynamic compromise, probably related to atrial enlargement. In addition, this case reinforces the importance of performing ECG in dogs with MMVD, since it complements the echocardiogram and enables a better therapeutic approach.

Increase in cardiac troponin I in a lamb with tetralogy of fallot.

This study describes a case of tetralogy of Fallot in a lamb showing failure to thrive and signs of respiratory distress. Physical examination, electrocardiography, thoracic radiographies, echocardiography and cardiac troponin I evaluation were performed. The value of cardiac troponin I was compared with the values of 10 healthy lambs of the same age and breed, and the affected animal demonstrated an increase in cardiac troponin I. Due to the poor prognosis, euthanasia was indicated, and necropsy confirmed the diagnosis. This is the first report of an increase in cardiac troponin I in a lamb with tetralogy of Fallot.