Immunomagnetic isolation of canine circulating endothelial and endothelial progenitor cells.

Background: Increased concentrations of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) are thought to be a biomarker of vascular injury in human patients with cardiovascular disease, neoplasia, vasculitis, sickle cell anemia, shock, and sepsis. Immunomagnetic isolation is a technique currently used to enumerate human CECs and can detect low numbers of cells.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether a standard protocol for immunomagnetic isolation could be used to obtain and enumerate CECs and a subpopulation of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) from canine whole blood.

A technique for in vitro culture of canine valvular interstitial cells.

Objective: To develop a method for in vitro culture of canine valvular interstitial cells (VICs).

Animals, Materials And Methods: Canine VICs were isolated from the distal third of the anterior mitral valve leaflet using an explant technique and maintained in cell culture. Molecular phenotyping of the cultured cells was performed using reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry.

Endovascular retrieval of embolized jugular catheter fragments in three dogs using a nitinol gooseneck snare.

Two dogs were referred to the Kansas State University Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital for pulmonary arterial embolization and one to Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for right heart embolization of jugular catheter fragments. Endovascular retrieval of foreign bodies was accomplished under general anesthesia in all three cases. Although the incidence of, and complications associated with catheter embolization in dogs are unknown, it appears that they can be safely and easily retrieved with a nitinol gooseneck snare.

Electrocardiographic and echocardiographic evidence of atrial dissociation.

A 4-year-old Boxer dog with a history of ventricular premature contractions was evaluated for anorexia. An electrocardiogram revealed atrial dissociation and an echocardiogram supported simultaneous mechanical atrial systole with the ectopic atrial electrical activity. This case and the supporting images provide further credence to the existence of atrial dissociation.