Lidocaine for chemical cardioversion of orthodromic atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia in dogs.

Background: Typical atrioventricular accessory pathways (APs) are composed of myocardial cells. They provide electrical connections between atria and ventricles separate from the normal conduction system. Accessory pathways can participate in a macroreentrant circuit resulting in orthodromic atrioventricular reciprocating tachycardia (OAVRT).

Utility of plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) to distinguish between congestive heart failure and non-cardiac causes of acute dyspnea in cats.

Background: Circulating plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration facilitates emergency diagnosis of congestive heart failure (CHF) in people. Its utility to discriminate between dyspneic cats with CHF vs. primary respiratory disease requires further assessment.

Comparison of canine capillary and jugular venous blood lactate concentrations determined by use of an enzymatic-amperometric bedside system.

Objective: To evaluate the analytical agreement between blood lactate concentrations determined by use of an enzymatic-amperometric bedside system in capillary blood samples from the pinna and in jugular venous blood samples from dogs.

Animals: 53 dogs.

Procedures: For each dog, venous and capillary blood samples were obtained from a jugular vein and from the ear pinna (by use of a lancing device), respectively, following a randomized sequence of collection.

The Amplatz canine duct occluder: a novel device for patent ductus arteriosus occlusion.

The Amplatz canine duct occluder (ACDO) is a nitinol mesh device with a short waist that separates a flat distal disc from a cupped proximal disc. The device is designed to conform to the morphology of the canine patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). PDA dimensions are determined by angiography, and a guiding catheter is advanced into the main pulmonary artery via the aorta and PDA.