Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Safety and feasibility of transesophageal pacing in a dog.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
- Year:
- 2008
- Authors:
- Schmidt, Mandi et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at a method called transesophageal pacing, which involves placing a device in a dog's esophagus to help control heart rhythms. They tested this on one dog and found that while they could stimulate the heart's upper chambers (atria), it caused a lot of movement in the diaphragm, which is the muscle that helps with breathing. Unfortunately, they were unable to stimulate the heart's lower chambers (ventricles) effectively, regardless of how they set up the device. Although the procedure was safe for the dog, the researchers noted that differences in dogs' chest shapes mean more research is needed before this method can replace other heart pacing techniques. Overall, the treatment did not work as intended for ventricular pacing.
Abstract
This study investigated the feasibility of using a modified transesophageal atrial pacing system for dogs requiring temporary ventricular pacing. Atrial pacing was readily achieved in the one dog studied, but it caused considerable diaphragmatic movement. Ventricular pacing could not be achieved at any lead configuration or energy stimulation. While transesophageal cardiac pacing was a safe procedure, the large variation in the chest anatomy of dogs requires further study to explore this model as a substitute for transvenous or transthoracic ventricular pacing.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18175795/