Left atrial volume is obtainable by echocardiography in cats. Left atrial volume and atrial function may indicate chronicity and severity of diastolic dysfunction associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure. Left atrial function was reduced in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure compared with healthy and asymptomatic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy groups.

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Cough has been historically reported as a major clinical sign of cardiogenic pulmonary oedema in dogs. However, recent evidence appears to contradict the traditional dogmatic approach that linked cough to congestive heart failure in dogs. Here we use a question‐based format to introduce and discuss the modern evidence regarding “cardiac cough” and the interpretation of this important but often misleading clinical sign.

Background: Boxer dogs are reported to be predisposed to arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), but the natural history has not been well characterized and inconsistent diagnostic criteria have been applied to identify affected dogs. Echocardiographic examination findings are unremarkable in many affected Boxer dogs, and in these dogs, 24-hour ambulatory ECG (Holter) monitoring often is used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes, despite limited information available relating Holter findings to outcome.Hypothesis/Objectives: Boxers with complex ventricular arrhythmias at initial presentation will have shorter survival times. The objective was to investigate the prognostic value of Holter monitoring in Boxer dogs.Animals: One hundred and twenty-two Boxer dogs seen at 3 university referral hospitals. Methods: Retrospective study. Survival times were obtained for Boxer dogs evaluated by echocardiography and a 24-hour Holter ECG. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to estimate the median survival time and Cox proportional hazards analysis was used to identify variables independently associated with cardiac mortality.Results: Outcome data were obtained for 122/163 dogs meeting the inclusion criteria. Of the 70 dogs that had died, 45 were considered to have suffered cardiac-related deaths. Median survival was significantly longer in dogs with a left ventricular systolic diameter (LVIDs) 35 mm compared with those with LVIDs > 35 mm (P < .001). Multivariable analysis in dogs with LVIDs 35 mm showed that the presence of ventricular tachycardia, age >4.5 years, and male sex were independent predictors of cardiac mortality.Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Holter monitoring in Boxer dogs provides valuable prognostic information.

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Background The optimal heart rate (HR) in dogs with atrial fibrillation (AF) is unknown. Impact of HR on survival needs elucidation. Hypothesis/Objectives Dogs with a 24 hours Holter‐derived meanHR ≤125 beats per minute (bpm; rate controlled) survive longer than dogs with higher meanHR. We further aimed to determine which variables predict ability to achieving rate control. Animals Sixty dogs with AF. Methods Holter‐derived meanHR, clinical, echocardiographic, and biomarker variables were analyzed prospectively. Survival was recorded from time of rate control, with all‐cause mortality as primary endpoint. Cox proportional hazards analysis identified variables independently associated with survival; Kaplan‐Meier survival analysis estimated the median survival time of dogs with meanHR ≤125 bpm vs >125 bpm. Logistic regression explored baseline variables associated with inability to achieve rate control. Results Structural heart disease was present in 56/60 dogs, 50/60 had congestive heart failure, and 45/60 died. Median time to all‐cause death was 160 days (range, 88‐303 days), dogs with meanHR >125 bpm (n = 27) lived 33 days (95% confidence interval [CI], 15‐141 days), dogs with meanHR ≤125 bpm (n = 33) lived 608 days (95% CI, 155‐880 days; P < .0001). Congenital heart disease and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide were independently associated with higher risk of death (P < .01 and <.0001, respectively) whereas meanHR ≤125 bpm decreased the risk of death (P < .001). Increased left atrial size, increased C‐reactive protein concentration and lower blood pressure at admission were associated with failure to achieve rate control. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Rate control affects survival; an optimal target meanHR <125 bpm should be sought in dogs with AF. Baseline patient variables can help predict if rate control is achievable.