Pathological study of dilated cardiomyopathy

AIM: To study the pathological features of the dilated cardiomyopathy and the mechanisms involved. METHODS: The left ventricular myocardium specimens were obtained from 8 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy by BATISTA. The morphological changes was examined macropathologically and histopathologically. RESULTS: The dilated cardiomyopathy from 8 patients can be classified into two types macropathology. One of them showed hypertrophy of left ventricular wall and the other showed fatty infiltration on myocardium of the left ventricular. In the first type, swelling of the endothelial cells as well as luminal stenosis even occlusive of small arteries and arterioles were observed in the study. Electronical microscopical examination showed that there were a lot of homogeneous secretory granules in the endothelial cells. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that the secretory granules might be from the damaged myocardial cells and entered into the adjacent endothelial cells. The pathological changes mentioned above could aggravate the ischemia of myocardium. At the same time, the vicious cycle make the pathological changes more serious. Further study should be made to confirm the nature of the secretory granules.     

Characteristics of ventricular electrophysiology in a right ventricular rapid pacing-induced canine heart failure model

AIM: To research the characteristics of ventricular electrophysiology in right ventricular rapid pacing-induced congestive heart failure (CHF) dogs.METHODS: Dogs (n=16) were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control (n=7) and the CHF group (n=9) induced by rapid right ventricular pacing at 240 pulse·min-1 for 4 to 5 weeks.The electrophysiologic parameters were evaluated by the technique of standard electric stimulation and monophasic action potential (MAP) recording.RESULTS: (1) Ventricular effective refractory period (VERP),ventricular MAP duration (MAPD90),ventricular late repolarization duration (VLRD) and intra-ventricular conduction time (IVCT) were prolonged by 26% (P<0.01),43% (P<0.01),318% (P<0.05),and 19% (P<0.01),respectively in CHF group.(2)The ratio of VERP to MAPD₉₀ (VERP/MAPD₉₀) was decreased by 13% (P<0.05) in CHF group.(3) The dispersion of ventricular recovery time (VRT-D) was increased by 185% (P<0.01) in CHF group.(4) The ventricular fibrillation threshold (VFT) was decreased by 48% (P<0.01) in CHF group.CONCLUSION: The abnormal electrophysiological changes in the CHF condition may be contributing factors of lethal ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac deaths in CHF.     

TRANSTHORACIC LUNG ULTRASOUND IN NORMAL DOGS AND DOGS WITH CARDIOGENIC PULMONARY EDEMA: A PILOT STUDY

Pulmonary edema is the most common complication of left‐sided heart failure in dogs and early detection is important for effective clinical management. In people, pulmonary edema is commonly diagnosed based on transthoracic ultrasonography and detection of B line artifacts (vertical, narrow‐based, well‐defined hyperechoic rays arising from the pleural surface). The purpose of this study was to determine whether B line artifacts could also be useful diagnostic predictors for cardiogenic pulmonary edema in dogs. Thirty‐one normal dogs and nine dogs with cardiogenic pulmonary edema were prospectively recruited. For each dog, presence or absence of cardiogenic pulmonary edema was based on physical examination, heartworm testing, thoracic radiographs, and echocardiography. A single observer performed transthoracic ultrasonography in all dogs and recorded video clips and still images for each of four quadrants in each hemithorax. Distribution, sonographic characteristics, and number of B lines per thoracic quadrant were determined and compared between groups. B lines were detected in 31% of normal dogs (mean 0.9 ± 0.3 SD per dog) and 100% of dogs with cardiogenic pulmonary edema (mean 6.2 ± 3.8 SD per dog). Artifacts were more numerous and widely distributed in dogs with congestive heart failure (P < 0.0001). In severe cases, B lines increased in number and became confluent. The locations of B line artifacts appeared consistent with locations of edema on radiographs. Findings from the current study supported the use of thoracic ultrasonography and detection of B lines as techniques for diagnosing cardiogenic pulmonary edema in dogs.     

Effects of dietary sodium on the expression of angiotensinogen mRNA in myocardium of rats with congestive heart failure

AIM:This study was designed to investigate the effects of sodium restriction and sodium supplementation on the expression of angiotensinogen mRNA in myocardium of rats with congestive heart failure(CHF).METHODS:Radioimmunassay and in situ hybridization techniques were used to determine the angiotensin Ⅱ(AngⅡ)contents and the expression of angiotensinogen(ANG)mRNA in myocardium, respectively.RESULTS: In sodium restricted group, the plasma sodium was obviously lower than that in CHF group(P＜0.05), while the contents of AngⅡ,the expression of ANG mRNA in myocardium and the ratio of heart weight/body weight(HW/BW)were significantly higher than those in CHF group (P＜0.05 or P＜0.01). It was also found that the AngⅡ, the mRNA contents in rat myocardium and the ratio of HW/BW were not significantly changed in case of sodium supplementation. CONCLUSION:Restriction of sodium intake can further activate the local renin-angiotensin system in CHF heart.     

Canine angiostrongylosis: the French heartworm: an emerging threat in North America

Angiostrongylus vasorum, French heartworm, is a metastrongloid parasite found in the pulmonary arteries and right ventricle of wild and domestic canids and various other animals. The natural definitive hosts are species of foxes. The geographic distribution of the parasite includes various countries of Europe, Africa, South America, and North America. Angiostrongylosis is considered an emerging disease in dogs in Europe. In North America, autochthonous A. vasorum infection occurs only in the Canadian province of Newfoundland-Labrador. Computer modeling suggests there is a high probability that A. vasorum will spread to other parts of North America and will likely become endemic in the eastern half of the continent and in the states and provinces along the western coast. Animals acquire infection by the ingestion of gastropod or frog intermediate hosts that carry the infective 3rd-stage larvae. Frogs can also serve as paratenic hosts. Definitive antemortem diagnosis is by detection of L(1) in feces, sputum, or bronchoalveolar lavage samples. Baermann fecal examination is the most reliable method for fecal detection. However, false negative results can occur due to the typical erratic/sporadic fecal larval shedding pattern of A. vasorum. Recently, promising new methods for A. vasorum infection diagnosis have been reported involving polymerase chain reaction of blood and fecal samples and a sandwich ELISA for detection of circulating worm excretory/secretory antigen. Current treatment options include moxidectin, milbemycin oxime, and fenbendazole.