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After reading many posts about this problem in our dogs I think it needs to brought to the attention of K9ers that not only the breeding closely can cause these heart problems and we need to understand that there is many forms of these heart conditions that many people are putting under the one banner, over the next few days I will share some of my own research with you, for those that don't know me I have been working in a Cardiac Cath Lab for 4 years and have spoke at length with cardiologists about some of the causes " VENTRICULAR ECTOPY " and other conditions. It was explained to me that whippets and athletes have enlarged hearts because of there sprinting ability and fitness which makes the walls of the heart thicker and the left ventricle larger, this causing problems later in life. Please find some of the things I've found to help explain most of the problems in our breed.
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE VALUES IN WHIPPETS
All work was carried out at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
A limited part of this work was presented as a poster-presentation at the ECVIM Congress 2004, Barcelona, Spain.
Copyright © Copyright 2007 by the American College of Veterinary Radiology
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to establish reference echocardiographic values for whippets, to compare these values with previously published reference values for the general dog population, and to determine whether there is an influence of gender and breeding lines on echocardiographic measurements. Echocardiographic parameters from 105 apparently healthy whippets without cardiac symptoms were used to establish reference values for the breed and to compare these values with two previously reported reference ranges. The coefficients of the allometric equation Y=aMb, useful to reconstruct normal M-mode and two-dimensional average values for whippets of varying weights, were calculated, as well as the lower and upper limits of the 95% prediction interval. First, we found that whippets have a significantly larger left ventricular diameter, increased left ventricular wall, and interventricular septum thickness than expected, in diastole as well as in systole. Fractional shortening was significantly lower than the reference value. Second, comparing males and females, taking body weight differences into account, females had a significantly larger left ventricular diameter in diastole and systole. Minor differences were found between racing and show pedigree dogs. In conclusion, the results of this study confirm that breed-specific reference values are needed in echocardiography. In whippets, the values found in this study can be used as references in order to avoid overinterpretation of cardiac dilation, hypertrophy, and/or decreased contractility in these dogs.
Ectopic heartbeat
Definition
Ectopic heartbeat is an irregularity of the heart rate and heart rhythm involving extra or skipped heartbeats.
Alternative Names
PVB (premature ventricular beat); Premature contraction; Premature beats; PVC (premature ventricular contraction); Extrasystole
Causes
Ectopic heartbeats are an arrhythmia involving small variations in an otherwise normal heartbeat. In many cases, they may occur without obvious cause and be benign .
Other times, however, they are associated with electrolyte abnormalities in the blood which should be corrected. They can also be associated with ischemia, or local reduction in blood supply to the heart. In addition, ectopic beats may be caused or made worse by excessive smoking, alcohol consumption , caffeine , certain medications, and some illicit drugs.
Ectopic beats are rare in children other than those with congenital heart disease . The majority of extra heartbeats in children are PAC's (premature atrial contractions), which are almost always benign .
In adults , ectopic beats can occur more commonly, and underlying reversible reasons should be investigated even if it turns out that no treatment is ultimately needed.
Symptoms
* Sensation of feeling heart beat ( palpitations )
* Sensation of stopped or skipped beats
Note: In many cases, the person may have no symptoms.
Exams and Tests
A physical examination may show an occasional irregularity, but if the ectopic beats do not occur frequently, they may not be detectable on physical exam. Blood pressure is usually normal.
The following tests may be used to diagnosis an ectopic heartbeat:
* ECG
* Continuous ambulatory cardiac monitoring (Holter monitor)
* Echocardiogram
* Coronary angiography
Treatment
Often ectopic heartbeats do not require treatment. The condition is treated if symptoms are severe or if extra beats are very frequent.
An underlying cause, if discovered, may also require treatment.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Ectopic heartbeats are generally benign , requiring no treatment. Occasionally, they may indicate an increased risk for other cardiac arrhythmias.
Possible Complications
* Ventricular tachycardia (occasionally)
* Other arrhythmias (occasionally)
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE VALUES IN WHIPPETS
All work was carried out at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium.
A limited part of this work was presented as a poster-presentation at the ECVIM Congress 2004, Barcelona, Spain.
Copyright © Copyright 2007 by the American College of Veterinary Radiology
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
The aim of the study was to establish reference echocardiographic values for whippets, to compare these values with previously published reference values for the general dog population, and to determine whether there is an influence of gender and breeding lines on echocardiographic measurements. Echocardiographic parameters from 105 apparently healthy whippets without cardiac symptoms were used to establish reference values for the breed and to compare these values with two previously reported reference ranges. The coefficients of the allometric equation Y=aMb, useful to reconstruct normal M-mode and two-dimensional average values for whippets of varying weights, were calculated, as well as the lower and upper limits of the 95% prediction interval. First, we found that whippets have a significantly larger left ventricular diameter, increased left ventricular wall, and interventricular septum thickness than expected, in diastole as well as in systole. Fractional shortening was significantly lower than the reference value. Second, comparing males and females, taking body weight differences into account, females had a significantly larger left ventricular diameter in diastole and systole. Minor differences were found between racing and show pedigree dogs. In conclusion, the results of this study confirm that breed-specific reference values are needed in echocardiography. In whippets, the values found in this study can be used as references in order to avoid overinterpretation of cardiac dilation, hypertrophy, and/or decreased contractility in these dogs.
Ectopic heartbeat
Definition
Ectopic heartbeat is an irregularity of the heart rate and heart rhythm involving extra or skipped heartbeats.
Alternative Names
PVB (premature ventricular beat); Premature contraction; Premature beats; PVC (premature ventricular contraction); Extrasystole
Causes
Ectopic heartbeats are an arrhythmia involving small variations in an otherwise normal heartbeat. In many cases, they may occur without obvious cause and be benign .
Other times, however, they are associated with electrolyte abnormalities in the blood which should be corrected. They can also be associated with ischemia, or local reduction in blood supply to the heart. In addition, ectopic beats may be caused or made worse by excessive smoking, alcohol consumption , caffeine , certain medications, and some illicit drugs.
Ectopic beats are rare in children other than those with congenital heart disease . The majority of extra heartbeats in children are PAC's (premature atrial contractions), which are almost always benign .
In adults , ectopic beats can occur more commonly, and underlying reversible reasons should be investigated even if it turns out that no treatment is ultimately needed.
Symptoms
* Sensation of feeling heart beat ( palpitations )
* Sensation of stopped or skipped beats
Note: In many cases, the person may have no symptoms.
Exams and Tests
A physical examination may show an occasional irregularity, but if the ectopic beats do not occur frequently, they may not be detectable on physical exam. Blood pressure is usually normal.
The following tests may be used to diagnosis an ectopic heartbeat:
* ECG
* Continuous ambulatory cardiac monitoring (Holter monitor)
* Echocardiogram
* Coronary angiography
Treatment
Often ectopic heartbeats do not require treatment. The condition is treated if symptoms are severe or if extra beats are very frequent.
An underlying cause, if discovered, may also require treatment.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Ectopic heartbeats are generally benign , requiring no treatment. Occasionally, they may indicate an increased risk for other cardiac arrhythmias.
Possible Complications
* Ventricular tachycardia (occasionally)
* Other arrhythmias (occasionally)
