Heart: atrial premature complexes

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Age predisposition, Breed predisposition, Cost considerations, Pathogenesis, Etiology, Pathophysiology, Timecourse (incubation, duration), Diagnosis, Presenting problems, Client history, Clinical signs, Diagnostic investigation, Confirmation of diagnosis, Gross autopsy findings, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Initial symptomatic treatment, Monitoring, Prevention, Control, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Reasons for treatment failure, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr Phil Fox DVM DipACVIM DipECVIM ACVECC
Mr Simon Swift MA VetMB CertSAC MRCVS
Synonyms APC, dropped beat

Introduction

  • Beats arising from ectopic foci originating in the atria. Generally a sign of atrial disease/enlargement or cardiomyopathy.
  • Cause : irritation to the atria - enlargement or disease.
  • Signs : arrhythmia detected on examination.
  • Diagnosis : electrocardiography.
  • Treatment : specific treatment not usually needed, treat underlying disease.
  • Prognosis : usually good depending on underlying disease.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

  • Pulse deficits with following pulse increased strength.
  • Do not usually have clinical signs.

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

  • Other arrhythmias  Heart: dysrhythmia  .
  • Junctional premature complexes - difficult to differentiate.

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • Depends on underlying disease.
  • APCs themselves do not cause clinical signs unless occurring in runs.

Expected response to treatment

  • Disappearance of rhythm abnormalities on treatment of underlying disease.

Reasons for treatment failure

  • Severe or intractable underlying cardiac pathology.

Sources

Publications

Other sources of information

  • Ettinger S (1995)Cardiac Arrhythmias. In:Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine.pp 965-968.
  • Tilley L P (1992)Essentials of Canine and Feline Electrocardiology.pp 215-216.

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