Interventional Heartworm Extraction in Two Dogs: The Clinical Application of Impedance Cardiography
Daesik Kim1, Seol-Gi Park2, Minsu Kim1
1Veterinary Emergency Medicine, Department of Veterinary Clinical Science, Research Institute for Veterinary Science, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
Insights
Impedance cardiography (ICG) effectively monitored cardiac output (CO) during heartworm (HW) extraction in dogs. This non-invasive method proved crucial for patient survival during the surgical procedure.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
- Parasitology
Background:
- Heartworm (HW) disease, caused by Dirofilaria immitis, poses a significant threat to canine health by impairing cardiac function and reducing cardiac output (CO).
- Accurate monitoring of CO is critical during invasive procedures like HW extraction to ensure patient stability and successful outcomes.
- Current monitoring methods may have limitations during complex surgical interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of impedance cardiography (ICG) as a non-invasive tool for real-time CO monitoring during interventional HW extraction in dogs.
- To assess the feasibility and impact of ICG on patient management during HW removal surgery.
Main Methods:
- Two canine cases with HW infections underwent surgical extraction procedures.
- Cardiac output (CO) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were continuously monitored using the ICG technique.
- Monitoring encompassed anesthesia stabilization, the extraction process, and post-extraction recovery phases.
Main Results:
- Both cases demonstrated substantial increases in CO post-procedure (115% in Case 1, 116% in Case 2).
- ICG provided continuous, real-time CO data without interfering with the surgical procedure.
- Mean arterial pressure (MAP) showed case-specific variations, highlighting the need for comprehensive hemodynamic assessment.
Conclusions:
- The impedance cardiography (ICG) technique is a viable and effective method for monitoring cardiac output during interventional heartworm extraction in dogs.
- ICG offers valuable real-time hemodynamic insights, potentially improving patient management and outcomes in canine HW disease treatment.
Abstract:
Heartworm (HW) disease, caused by Dirofilaria immitis, is a life-threatening ailment in dogs. HW disrupts blood flow and decreases cardiac output (CO). The accurate monitoring of CO during HW extraction is pivotal for patient survival and overall health.
Objective:
This study aimed to assess the efficacy of using impedance cardiography (ICG) as a non-invasive approach for monitoring CO during interventional HW extraction.
Methods:
Two cases of HW infections were treated via surgical extraction. The CO and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were monitored using the ICG technique during the anesthesia stabilization, extraction process, and post-extraction phases.
Results:
In Case 1, the CO increased by 115% post-procedure, and in Case 2, the CO increased by 116%. In contrast, the MAP varied between the two cases. The ICG method provided real-time CO data without major disruptions during the extraction surgery.
Conclusion:
The ICG technique for CO monitoring during interventional HW extractions is effective.
