Cardiad disorders: Arrhythmias

Question 1

Bradyarrhythmias are defined as bradycardias that are how many beats per minute in dogs and cats, and associated with clinical signs of -?

Answer 1

Dogs = 60, Cats = 100

Lethargy, inappetence, exercise intolerance, CHF, and syncope

Question 2

Vagally induced bradyarrhythmias and sick sinus syndrome may respond to parasympatholytics such as -?

Answer 2

Atropine (0.04 mg/kg IV) or Glycopyrrolate (0.1 mg/kg IV)

Question 3

Treatment of patients with supraventricular tachyarrhythmias include -?

Answer 3

Diltiazem (0.125 - 0.35 mg/kg slowly IV) and vagal maneuver (sustained, gentle compression of the carotid sinus for 5-10 seconds)

Other drugs include calcium channel blockers, digitalis glycosides, and beta blockers

Question 4

Treatments for patients with ventricular tachyarrhythmias include -?

Answer 4

Oxygen supplementation, identification and correction of electrolyte imbalances, and discontinuing proarrhythmic drugs

Lidocaine, Procainamide, beta blockers