Sudden death in Companion Animals Flashcards

1
Q

How is sudden death defined?

A
  • sudden death by definition means a death by natural causes, excluding severe acute trauma, stabbing, gunshot, toxicity etc
  • Was fine a few moments ago, now dead (<60 min)
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2
Q

What are the acute death systems?

A
  • Cardiac/cardiovascular
  • CNS (CVA and seizures)
  • Respiratory
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3
Q

What are the sudden death systems?

A
  • Gastrointestinal
  • Coagulation
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4
Q

Will failure of an organ system or acute loss of function always lead to death?

A
  • If left untreated, failure of any organ system is likely to eventually result in death, but acute loss of function does not always mean acute death
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5
Q

How is acute/peracute death defined?

A

Was fine a few moments ago, now dead (<60 minutes)

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6
Q

What are the main causes of acute death in dogs and cats?

A
  • Cardiovascular (~30%, varying aetiologies, dogs and cats)
  • Gastrointestinal (~20%, GDV, viral enteritis, intestinal torsion)
  • Toxicity (~12%, various)
  • Trauma (~10%)
  • Respiratory
  • CNS (CVA)
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7
Q

What are bouts of synocope a warning sign of?

A

Acute cardiac death

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8
Q

What is an atioventricular block?

A
  • Disorder of transmission of electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles via the atrioventricular node
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9
Q

What are the three degrees of atrioventricular blocks?

A
  • 1st: Delay of conduction, but consistent delay
  • 2nd: Progressive slowing then reset
  • 3rd: Complete loss of conduction
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10
Q

What are the treatment options for an atrioventricular block?

A

Pacemaker, can be controlled with drugs in the short term but they show little effect

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11
Q

What is sick sinus syndrome?

A
  • acute, intermittent arrhythmia that can lead to sudden death
  • Sinus arrhythmias / bradycardia
  • Periods of sinus arrest
  • Paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia / alternating bradycardia
  • Often associated with syncopal episodes, may be misinterpreted as seizures
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12
Q

How is sick sinus syndrome treated?

A

Pacemaker implantion

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13
Q

Is mesenteric torsion a potential cause of sudden death? What is it?

A
  • Yes it is a cause of sudden death
  • Rotation of intestines, spleen etc around the mesenteric root
  • Typically preceded by GIT signs
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14
Q

What are some other GIT causes of sudden death?

A
  • Gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV)
  • Severe acute enteritis (Volume loss and venous sequestration reduces cardiac output)
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15
Q

What is the treatment options for mesenteric torsion?

A
  • Euthanasia
  • Even with surgery, it is usually terminal
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16
Q

What are some causes of actue volume loss or cardiac failure? Give some specific examples

A
  • Acute bleeding from intraabdominal tumour - haemangiosarcoma in spleen or liver
  • acute bleeding into pericardial space (cardiac tamponade, haemangiosarcoma)
17
Q

Between cadiovascular failure and gastrointentnal causes of sudden death, which is more likely to have a better outcome?

A
  • The cardiovascular failure mechanisms are more likely to cause death before presentation to a veterinarian - collapse to death within minutes
  • The gastrointestinal accidents are potentially treatable if recognised and treated early and aggressively - NOTE: Bloating in dogs is an ASAP problem