The dvm360® cardiology page is home to a plethora of resources involving the latest advancements in diagnosing, managing, and treating cardiology. From expert insights into the latest trends to interviews, videos, podcasts, news, and beyond, find out everything you need to know about cardiology here.
April 23rd 2025
The transcatheter edge-to-edge repair procedure is a minimally invasive treatment for mitral regurgitation
LSU performs canine transcatheter closure of a PDA
November 14th 2007Baton Rouge - 11/14/07 - The first-time procedure for professors in the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine (LSU) has saved the life of a colleague's German Shepherd that had been suffering from congestive heart failure.
Mastering Management: Evaluating hypertension
January 1st 2007Most veterinary hospitals recommend geriatric pets receive once (or twice) yearly evaluations including an examination and blood testing. According to Dr. Bonnie Lefbom of Chesapeake Veterinary Cardiology Associates in Vienna, Va. that evaluation should also include a blood pressure measurement.
Thoracoscopic partial pericardectomy in the dog
November 1st 2006Pericardial effusion presents clinicians with a challenge when diagnosing the underlying cause, since the prognosis can be favorable in certain cases. Partial pericardectomy can be performed via thoracoscopy; and in select cases, this minimally invasive procedure can provide long-term relief of clinical signs.
Pimobendan: Understanding its cardiac effects in dogs with myocardial disease
October 1st 2006Pimobendan, a benzimidazole-pyridazinone drug, is classified as an inodilator because of its nonsympathomimetic, nonglycoside positive inotropic (through myocardial calcium sensitization) and vasodilator properties.
Pacemaker study seeks better ways to help dogs with complete heart block
September 12th 2006GAINESVILLE, FLA. - 9/12/2006 - A University of Florida study aimed at discovering better ways to place pacemakers in dogs with complete heart block has received a $100,000 boost through a grant from the Morris Animal Foundation.
CVD remains most common cardiac disease in small, medium-sized dogs
May 1st 2006Chronic valve disease (CVD), also called mitral valve disease or endocardiosis, is the most common form of acquired cardiac disease diagnosed in small- and medium-sized dogs. The mitral valve alone is affected in 60 percent of cases of chronic valve disease, whereas only the tricuspid valve is affected in 10 percent of cases. Thirty percent will have both the tricuspid and mitral valves affected. Endocardiosis is an age-related thickening of the mitral valve due to fibroblast proliferation and an increase in collagen and elastic fibers. The thickening of the mitral valve allows a regurgitant volume of blood to be forced from the high-pressure left ventricle into the low-pressure left atrium during systole. Over time, regurgitation can lead to progressive atrial and ventricular enlargement due to volume overload. Severe mitral regurgitation can lead to left-sided congestive heart failure and pulmonary edema formation. Long-term severe mitral regurgitation can lead to generalized heart failure. Right heart..
Performing a cardiovascular physical examination
January 1st 2006We often underuse the auscultation and physical examination techniques our predecessors mastered to successfully evaluate the cardiovascular system. Instead, we lean on echocardiography to offset the subtle nuances we fail to recognize.
Emergency management of congestive heart failure
October 1st 2005Patients with congestive heart failure are, unfortunately, common in small-animal practice. Some patients present with acute exacerbation of previously diagnosed and treated cardiac disease. Other animals may present with vague and nonspecific clinical signs and have no known history of cardiac problems.
Idiosyncrasies in greyhounds that can affect their medical care
August 1st 2005Over thousands of years, greyhounds have been bred and selected for speed. This selective breeding may explain a number of the idiosyncrasies we see in the breed today. Retired racing greyhounds are becoming more common pets and more common patients in veterinary hospitals. It is estimated that about 18,000 greyhounds are placed into homes as pets annually. This article will familiarize practitioners with some idiosyncrasies in greyhounds that can affect their medical care.
Recommendations for diagnosing, treating, and preventing heartworm disease
May 1st 2005We now have an arsenal of test kits and prophylactics to choose from, and it can be confusing to know which to purchase. We tend to mold ourselves to the product instead of molding the product to the individual patient. This article should help you tailor the heartworm diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic options to each of your canine and feline patients.
An Interview with... Dr. Stephen J. Ettinger
February 1st 2005How often have you said, "Look it up in Ettinger's?" Dr. Stephen J. Ettinger co-edited the renowned Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, now in its sixth edition. An internist and cardiologist, he practices at California Animal Hospital in Los Angeles.
Research Update: Functional outcome in dogs and cats surviving cardiopulmonary arrest
January 1st 2005In this retrospective study from a veterinary teaching hospital, the records of 15 dogs and three cats surviving cardiopulmonary arrest were reviewed to describe the animals' resuscitations and outcomes.