Life–Threatening Cardiac Emergencies for the Small Animal Practitioner

Life–Threatening Cardiac Emergencies for the Small Animal Practitioner offers a quick reference to recognizing and treating common cardiac arrhythmias and emergent cardiac conditions in canine and feline patients.  Designed for fast access during an emergency, the book provides ECGs, radiographs, and echocardiograms for easy comparison in the clinic alongside clear instructions for emergency treatment.  This practical resource streamlines the process of treating emergent cardiac patients, putting the most clinically relevant information about cardiac emergencies and drugs at the clinician s fingertips.

Information is logically organized by heart rate and condition, making it easy to look up and apply information.  Life–Threatening Cardiac Emergencies for the Small Animal Practitioner is a useful patient–side resource for general practitioners, emergency vets, and veterinary students.

Key features

Offers quick and easy access to key information for diagnosing and managing arrhythmias and cardiac conditions in dogs and cats Designed for ease of use in the fast–paced emergency setting Presents clear, reproducible ECGs, radiographs, and echocardiograms for reference and comparison Part of the Rapid Reference series providing small animal practitioners with ideal quick references for patient–side guidance

Introduction

Chapter 1. Normal ECG

Before Recording

ECG Set up

Recording the ECG

What is Measured

Normal ECG

Calculating the Heart Rate

Calculating the Mean Electrical Axis

Measuring the Complexes

Chapter 2. Bradyarrhythmias

Sinus Bradycardia

Sinus Arrhythmia

Sinus Arrest

Atrial Standstill

AV Block Overview

First Degree AV Block

Second Degree AV Block

Third Degree AV Block

Asystole

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Escape Rhythms

Chapter 3. Tachyarrhythmias

Atrial Premature Complexes

Ventricular Premature Complexes

Differentiating SVT From VT

Supraventricular Tachycardia

Atrial Fibrillation

Ventricular Pre–Excitation

Re–entrant Arrhythmias

Wolff–Parkinson White Syndrome

Ventricular Tachycardia

Accelerated Idioventricular Rhythm

Ventricular Flutter

Ventricular Fibrillation

Torsade de Pointes

Chapter 4. Miscellaneous Arrhythmias & Cardiac Conditions

Artifacts and Anomalies

Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy

AV Junctional Rhythms

Junctional Escape Beats

AV Junctional Rhythm

Bradycardia Tachycardia Syndrome (Sick Sinus Syndrome)

Electrical Alternans

Left Bundle Branch Block

Left Anterior Fascicular Block

Right Bundle Branch Block

ST Segment Abnormalities

T Wave Abnormalities

Canine Congestive Heart Failure

Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Feline Aortic Thromboembolism (Saddle Thrombus)

Feline Congestive Heart Failure

Heartworm Caval Syndrome

Pericardial Effusion(see also Electrical Alternans)

Chapter 5. Electrolyte Abnormalities and the ECG

Hyperkalemia

Hypokalemia

Hypercalcemia

Hypocalcemia

Chapter 6. Algorithms and Drugs for Treatment of Emergent Arrhythmias

Bradycardia Algorithm

Tachycardia Algorithm

Asystole (CPR) Algorithm (CPR)

Arrhythmia Drug Chart

Further Reading

Index

Maureen McMichael, DVM, DACVECC, is a Professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine and Section Chief of the Small Animal Emergency and Critical Care Section at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, Illinois, USA.

Ryan Fries, DVM, DACVIM, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine  (cardiologist) at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine in Urbana, Illinois, USA.