Heart to Heart
An older Cavalier King Charles Spaniel presents with a left apical systolic murmur. The most likely underlying disease is:
What is myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)?
This loop diuretic is the cornerstone of treatment for pulmonary edema caused by congestive heart failure.
What is furosemide?
A grade I/VI murmur is best described as:
What is barely audible?
This rhythm originates from the sinoatrial node and is considered normal.
What is normal sinus rhythm?
A dog with pulmonary edema due to CHF arrives in respiratory distress. The first priority is:
What is oxygen supplementation?
A Doberman with exercise intolerance and episodes of collapse has a dilated left ventricle on echocardiogram. The diagnosis is:
What is dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)?
This inodilator improves contractility while reducing afterload and is commonly used in dogs with CHF due to MMVD or DCM.
What is pimobendan?
A loud left apical systolic murmur in a small-breed dog most commonly suggests:
What is myxomatous mitral valve disease?
A blocked cat with severe hyperkalemia develops this ECG change early in the disease process.
What are peaked T waves?
A cat presents with acute hind limb paralysis, absent femoral pulses, and painful rear limbs. The diagnosis is:
What is a saddle thrombus (aortic thromboembolism)?
This stage of heart failure occurs when structural heart disease is present but the patient has not yet developed clinical signs.
What is preclinical heart disease (ACVIM Stage B)?
This ACE inhibitor is commonly prescribed for chronic management of heart disease.
What is enalapril or benazepril?
A left basilar systolic murmur in a young dog raises suspicion for this congenital disease.
What is subaortic stenosis?
This arrhythmia is characterized by an irregularly irregular rhythm with no discernible P waves.
What is atrial fibrillation?
A patient with cardiac tamponade may have muffled heart sounds, weak pulses, and jugular venous distension. The emergency procedure is:
What is pericardiocentesis?
A dog in left-sided congestive heart failure develops this change within the lungs.
What is pulmonary edema?
A dog with symptomatic bradycardia due to increased vagal tone may respond to this anticholinergic medication.
What is atropine?
A right-sided systolic murmur in a puppy may indicate this congenital heart defect.
What is pulmonic stenosis?
This ventricular arrhythmia can rapidly deteriorate into cardiac arrest if untreated.
What is ventricular tachycardia?
A dog with ventricular tachycardia becomes hypotensive. One antiarrhythmic that may be used intravenously is:
What is lidocaine?
A cat with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is at increased risk for this devastating thromboembolic complication.
What is an aortic thromboembolism (ATE, saddle thrombus)?
A dog with atrial fibrillation and a rapid ventricular response may be treated with these medications to slow the heart rate.
What are diltiazem and/or digoxin?
A cat has a new grade III/VI systolic murmur but is otherwise asymptomatic. The next best diagnostic test to characterize the underlying disease is:
What is an echocardiogram?
This rhythm is characterized by chaotic electrical activity with no organized ventricular contractions.
What is ventricular fibrillation?
A dog collapses and becomes pulseless while hospitalized. The ECG shows ventricular fibrillation. The immediate intervention is
What is CPR with defibrillation?