Sudden death in Companion Animals Flashcards
How is sudden death defined?
- 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)
What are the acute death systems?
- Cardiac/cardiovascular
- CNS (CVA and seizures)
- Respiratory
What are the sudden death systems?
- Gastrointestinal
- Coagulation
Will failure of an organ system or acute loss of function always lead to death?
- 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
How is acute/peracute death defined?
Was fine a few moments ago, now dead (<60 minutes)
What are the main causes of acute death in dogs and cats?
- Cardiovascular (~30%, varying aetiologies, dogs and cats)
- Gastrointestinal (~20%, GDV, viral enteritis, intestinal torsion)
- Toxicity (~12%, various)
- Trauma (~10%)
- Respiratory
- CNS (CVA)
What are bouts of synocope a warning sign of?
Acute cardiac death
What is an atioventricular block?
- Disorder of transmission of electrical impulses from the atria to the ventricles via the atrioventricular node
What are the three degrees of atrioventricular blocks?
- 1st: Delay of conduction, but consistent delay
- 2nd: Progressive slowing then reset
- 3rd: Complete loss of conduction
What are the treatment options for an atrioventricular block?
Pacemaker, can be controlled with drugs in the short term but they show little effect
What is sick sinus syndrome?
- 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
How is sick sinus syndrome treated?
Pacemaker implantion
Is mesenteric torsion a potential cause of sudden death? What is it?
- Yes it is a cause of sudden death
- Rotation of intestines, spleen etc around the mesenteric root
- Typically preceded by GIT signs
What are some other GIT causes of sudden death?
- Gastric dilation and volvulus (GDV)
- Severe acute enteritis (Volume loss and venous sequestration reduces cardiac output)
What is the treatment options for mesenteric torsion?
- Euthanasia
- Even with surgery, it is usually terminal