cardio emergency

Common signs in cardiac emergencies

Sudden death

Cyanosis

Dyspnea

Collapse

Hind limb paresis

Syncope

Tachypnea

Excercise intolerance

Cough

Abdominal distension (ascites)

Tests you can do for cardiac emergencies

Troponin

ECG

Thoracic rads

Veterinary bedside lung ultrasound examination (VET Blue)

Echocardiogram

Describe heart failure

Inability of the heart to supply adequate blood flow to meet the metabolic needs of the body

Heart failure treatment

Oxygen therapy- Monitor SPO2

Diuretic therapy- furosemide

Monitor weight: urine output

Azotemia and electrolytes

Positive inotropic therapy : dopamine and dobutamine

Vasodilator

What SPO2 % is considered emergency

85% or less

What should you monitor in patients in heart failure

SPO2

ECG

BP

what tools can you use to diagnose cardiac arrhythmia

Auscultation

ECG

Holter (ECG for 24hrs)

Treatment of cardiac arrhythmias

Treat primary disease

Antiarrhythmic drugs (lidocaine, atropine, glyco)

Pace maker

Defibrillator

Monitoring cardiac arrhythmias

Continuous ECG

BP

Electrolytes

Clinical signs of heartworm

Anorexia

Weakness

Dark brown urine

pale mm

Prolonged crt

Distended jugular vein

Ascites

Icterus

Dyspnea

Systolic murmur

Diagnose heartworm

X-ray

Cardiac ultrasound

Death may occur how many days after heartworm treatment

7-10 days

Treatment of heartworm

Embolization: kills adult worms

O2 and prednisone

Cage rest

What is cardiac tamponade

Rapid accumulation of fluid in the pericardial sac

Clinical signs of cardiac tamponade

Lethargy

Dyspnea

Anorexia

Collapse

Ascites

Jugular vein distension

Tachycardia

Weak pulses

Muffled heart sounds

Diagnostics for cardiac tamponade

X Ray: look for large globoid heart

FAST scan

ECG

BP

pericardiocentesis

What is feline aortic thromboembolism

Thrombi develop in heart then break free into systemic arteries and lodge in distal aorta where they cause posterior paresis, paralysis and pain

feline aortic thromboembolism a consequence of…

Myocardial disease

Signs of feline aortic thromboembolism

Vocalizing

Pain

Inability to walk

Dyspnea

Urinary and fecal incontinence

Treatment and goal of feline aortic thromboembolism

Stabilize preexisting heart disease

Analgesics

Admin heparin to prevent growth of clot

Remove clot

Prevent and treat