Cardiovascular abnormalities in dogs with acute pancreatitis.

Background: The prevalence and clinical importance of cardiac abnormalities in dogs with acute pancreatitis (AP) is unknown.

Animals: Twelve dogs with AP and 60 archived serum samples from dogs with suspected AP.

Methods: Two-phase study.

Evaluation of plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels in healthy North American Salukis with normal echocardiographic measurements.

Measurement of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels has been shown to have clinical significance for diagnosis and management of heart disease in dogs. Evaluation of current reference limits for specific breeds is necessary to ensure the test can accurately distinguish between healthy and diseased animals. The objective of this study is to evaluate the adequacy of currently established NT-proBNP reference limits for clinical use in healthy Salukis.

Ambulatory electrocardiographic evaluation of the occurrence of arrhythmias in healthy Salukis.

OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency and complexity of ventricular arrhythmias in a group of healthy Salukis evaluated by means of continuous Holter monitoring for 7 days. DESIGN Prospective case series. ANIMALS 25 healthy Salukis > 18 months old.

Feasibility of transthoracic echocardiographic imaging in non-sedated ovine subjects using a commercial restraint device.

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is a valuable non-invasive imaging research technique. In ovine models of cardiac disease, restraint for TTE often involves sedation even with currently available restraint equipment; our goal was to determine the feasibility of using a commercial restraint device, commonly known as the sheep chair, in minimizing animal stress and the need for sedation while achieving a complete TTE examination. A total of 10 healthy adult Dorset sheep were restrained in a sheep chair for TTE and observed for signs of stress.

Effects of catheter shape, interelectrode spacing, and electrode size on transesophageal atrial pacing in dogs.

Objective: To determine effects of catheter shape, interelectrode spacing (IS), and electrode size (ES) on pacing threshold (PT), extraneous muscular stimulation (EMS), and zone of capture (ZOC) for dogs undergoing transesophageal atrial pacing (TAP).

Animals: 10 purpose-bred dogs without cardiac conduction disturbances.

Procedures: 7 configurations for TAP catheters were tested in each dog to evaluate effects of catheter shape (curved or straight), IS (5, 15, and 25 mm), and ES (2, 4, and 6 mm).

Retrospective evaluation of intravenous premixed amiodarone use and adverse effects in dogs (17 cases: 2011-2014).

Objective: The goal of this study was to evaluate the number and frequency of adverse effects in a population of clinical canine patients receiving Nexterone.

Animals: Seventeen canine patients receiving Nexterone (five of which were treated during cardiopulmonary arrest).

Methods: An electronic records search for canine patients receiving intravenous Nexterone at the Michigan State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital was performed and retrospectively evaluated for patient demographic information, pre- and post-treatment values for heart rate, blood pressure and rhythm diagnosis, as well as any documented adverse effects (hypotension, anaphylaxis, vomiting, phlebitis, and death).

Effect of pulse width on transesophageal atrial pacing in dogs.

Objective: To determine the impact of stimulus pulse width (PW) on pacing threshold (PT), zone of capture (ZOC) and extraneous muscular stimulation (EMS).

Study Design: Experimental trial in client-owned dogs.

Animals: Seventeen dogs, median weight 16.

Cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in a dog with structural heart disease using an esophageal-right atrial lead configuration.

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia in dogs with structural cardiac disease and can result in significant clinical signs. Several methods of electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation have been described. Biphasic transthoracic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in dogs with naturally occurring heart disease has been described in veterinary medicine and has been shown to be highly successful.

Utility of transesophageal electrocardiography to guide optimal placement of a transesophageal pacing catheter in dogs.

Objective: To determine if the transesophageal atrial (A) wave amplitude or ventricular (V) wave amplitude can be used to guide optimal positioning of a transesophageal pacing catheter in dogs.

Study Design: Prospective clinical study.

Animals: Fourteen client owned healthy dogs with a median weight of 15.

Efficacy of two commercially available cardiac pacing catheters for transesophageal atrial pacing in dogs.

Objective: Compare the efficacy of two cardiac pacing catheters for transesophageal atrial pacing (TAP).

Animals: Ten healthy dogs.

Methods: Transesophageal atrial pacing was attempted in left lateral recumbency under general anesthesia.

Use of transesophageal atrial pacing to provide temporary chronotropic support in a dog undergoing permanent pacemaker implantation.

A 14.5-kg, 13-year-old female spayed Cocker spaniel was evaluated because of episodic hind limb weakness. Results of examination were consistent with sick sinus syndrome with intermittent second-degree atrioventricular block.

Efficacy of transesophageal and transgastric cardiac pacing in the dog.

Objectives: Determine if temporary artificial cardiac pacing can be accomplished from transesophageal or transgastric pacing sites.

Animals, Materials And Methods: Nine purpose bred Beagle dogs had a multipolar electrophysiology pacing catheter inserted transnasally and advanced into the distal esophagus or stomach under general anesthesia. Artificial atrial pacing was attempted using a bipolar configuration from the distal esophagus with the dogs in left lateral recumbency.

Safety of transesophageal pacing for 24 hours in a canine model.

Background: Temporary epicardial pacing is often necessary following surgical correction of congenital heart disease. Epicardial pacing wires, while generally effective, can, however, become nonfunctional. Transesophageal atrial pacing (TEAP) can be a useful adjunct in this setting.

Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus in a dog with a peripheral vascular occlusion device.

A 4-month-old, intact female mixed-breed dog presented to the Purdue University Veterinary Teaching Hospital for evaluation of a cardiac murmur. A large left-to-right patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was diagnosed and interventional correction was achieved with a commercially available peripheral vascular occlusion device (VOD). The VOD is composed of a nitinol wire mesh and is similar in composition and shape to a commercially available human PDA occluder, however, it can be deployed through smaller delivery catheters and is much less expensive.

Quantitation of acrylamide in food products by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

A simple and inexpensive liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method was developed for the quantitation of acrylamide in various food products. The method involved spiking the isotope-substituted internal standard (1-C13 acrylamide) onto 6.00 g of the food product, adding 40 mL distilled/deionized water, and heating at 65 degrees C for 30 min.

Transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect in a dog.

Atrial septal defect, while rare in dogs, can result in severe clinical signs. Surgical correction of atrial septal defect requires open-heart surgery. Transcatheter closure techniques provide minimally invasive surgical alternatives.

Effects of pulmonary vein ablation on regional atrial vagal innervation and vulnerability to atrial fibrillation in dogs.

Introduction: Pulmonary vein (PV) isolation has proven to be an effective therapy for atrial fibrillation (AF). However, clinical evidence suggests that suppression of AF after PV isolation could not be fully attributed to the interruption of electrical conduction in and out of the PVs. Furthermore, little is known regarding the effects of ablation around the PVs on the atrial electrophysiological properties.

Elucidation of tautomer structures of 2-acetyltetrahydropyridine using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/infrared spectroscopy.

2-Acetyltetrahydropyridine is an important flavor component in heated corn products such as popcorn and corn chips. The compound exists as a mixture of two tautomers that have different flavor/aroma characteristics. The tautomers also exhibit different chromatographic behaviors and are distinguishable spectroscopically.

Identification of 8-nonenal as an important contributor to "plastic" off-odor in polyethylene packaging.

Food and beverage products stored in polyethylene (PE) containers may absorb some of PE's volatile minor components and become tainted by its characteristic "plastic" odor. High-density PE containers that had imparted "plastic" odor to an experimental corn chip product were analyzed by simultaneous distillation/extraction to remove the volatile components, by gas chromatography/olfactometry (GC/O) to locate the offending components and by 2-D GC/mass spectrometry (MS) to identify the major "plastic" odor contributor (8-nonenal). The identification was made using high-resolution electron ionization and chemical ionization MS data to narrow the possibilities to two isomers of nonenal, followed by retrieval of reference spectra and confirmatory synthesis.

Acrylamide formation mechanism in heated foods.

Recent findings of a potential human carcinogen, acrylamide, in foods have focused research on the possible mechanisms of formation. We present a mechanism for the formation of acrylamide from the reaction of the amino acid asparagine and a carbonyl-containing compound at typical cooking temperatures. The mechanism involves formation of a Schiff base followed by decarboxylation and elimination of either ammonia or a substituted imine under heat to yield acrylamide.