Atrial myocarditis as a cause of sinus arrest in a dog

A 10-year-old male cairn terrier cross was presented with a history of myxomatous mitral valve disease diagnosed six months previously and with a four-week history of intermittent collapse. On 24 hour electrocardiograph (Holter) analysis, periods of no discernable electrical cardiac activity, which coincided with three collapsing episodes, were identified. Unfortunately, on re-presentation for removal of the Holter monitor, the dog collapsed and died. A post-mortem examination was conducted, and histology of the right and left atrium showed evidence of myocarditis. This is the first reported case, to our knowledge, of collapse because of electrical asystole in a dog with atrial myocarditis.