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Assessment of heart rate variability in Boxers with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

Alan W Spier1, Kathryn M Meurs

  • 1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.

Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|March 3, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis in Boxers with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) shows reduced HRV in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF). HRV is not consistently elevated in dogs with ARVC, limiting its use to those with CHF.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Cardiology
  • Canine Electrophysiology
  • Autonomic Nervous System Function

Background:

  • Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a common cardiac disease in Boxers.
  • Autonomic nervous system dysfunction, particularly increased sympathetic tone, is suspected in ARVC.
  • Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis is a non-invasive tool to assess autonomic function.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate heart rate variability (HRV) in Boxers with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).
  • To determine if HRV can differentiate Boxers with ARVC based on arrhythmia severity.
  • To assess if high sympathetic tone is a consistent feature in Boxers with ARVC.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study involving 24 Boxers with ARVC and 10 control dogs.
  • Boxers were categorized into groups: congestive heart failure (CHF), unaffected (< or = 2 VPCs/24h), and affected (>1,000 VPCs/24h).
  • 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiography was performed, and HRV variables were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • HRV was significantly reduced in Boxers with CHF compared to controls and Boxers without CHF.
  • No significant differences in HRV were found between affected and unaffected Boxers.
  • Some inconsistent HRV differences were noted between control dogs and Boxers without CHF.

Conclusions:

  • Persistently high sympathetic tone is not a consistent finding in ARVC.
  • Boxers without CHF may exhibit altered autonomic heart rate control compared to non-Boxers.
  • HRV analysis is most useful in Boxers with ARVC and systolic dysfunction/CHF.
Abstract

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