Optical coherence tomography of cartilage lesions in the equine metacarpophalangeal joint

Abstract

Objective: To report the history, signalment, indication for pacing and epicardial lead placement complications and final outcome of 28 dogs and 5 cats in which permanent epicardial pacing leads were surgically placed at a single institution. Methods: Medical records of 28 dogs and 5 cats were retrospectively reviewed. Signalment, age, species, gender, clinical signs, presence of structural heart disease and/or congestive heart failure, ECG diagnosis, reason to select epicardial surgery, patient size (more or less than 14 kg), year of study period, and overall survival rate were recorded. Statistical correlations were made between those variables and rates of major and minor complications. Results: No statistical differences were found in the prevalence of major (life threatening or requiring replacement of the pacemaker system) and minor (self-limiting) complications with respect to the different variables listed above except for patient size. A significant difference in survival was found between animals that sustained major complications versus those that did not. Cox regression analysis showed that size of patient, occurrence of major complications and presence of structural heart disease negatively impacted survival rate. Clinical Relevance: The transdiaphragmatic approach may result in specific intraoperativeand short-term complications (lead dislodgment). The presence of structural heart disease at diagnosis and the occurrence of major complications are associated with a decreased survival rate. Patients weighing more than 14 kg experienced more major complications. Improvement of patient outcomes following epicardial lead placement could possibly be made by selecting a different surgical approach or by designing a different type of epicardial lead for animals.