Weakness, Syncope, and Sudden Death Flashcards
who is syncope common in?
dogs with cardiac disease +/- systemic diseases
less in cats and horses
does syncope usually progress to sudden death?
sometimes
some have no progression
what are some causes of syncope?
hypoglycemia
hypoxemia
mild to severe anemia
hyperviscosity syndromes
hypotension
is vasovagal syncope usually benign?
yes: usually benign cause of syncope
rarely results in fatal event
is syncope often precipitated by exercise or cough?
yes
is the physical exam often normal in animals with syncope?
yes
what is a holter recorder useful for?
frequent syncope
what is sudden death defined as?
unexpected death (from cardiac disease) generally occuring within one hour of onset of signs
what are some causes of sudden death?
cardiac causes
thromboembolism
pulmonary hemorrhage
CNS event
aortic rupture or anomalous coronary artery
“found dead at home”
what are the two most likely cardiac causes of sudden death?
ventricular fibrillation
bradycardia: AV block
what cardiac rhythms are associated with syncope or sudden death?
asystole
pulseless electrical activity
advanced AV block
ventricular tachycardia
ventricular fibrillation
supraventricular tachycardia (syncope only)
what is the preferred treatment of advanced AV block?
cardiac pacing
which waveforms are easier to defibrillate?
coarser waveforms
higher frequency waveforms
what can cause hypotension?
hypovolemia
inadequate vascular tone
cardiovascular causes
what are some cardiovascular causes of syncope?
bradycardia
tachycardia
low cardiac output
cardiac restriction
cough
vasovagal or neurocardiogenic syncope
