Diagnosis and management of canine atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common non-physiological arrhythmia in dogs and humans. Its high prevalence in both species and the impact it has on survival time and quality of life of affected patients, makes it a very relevant topic for medical research. In dogs, the diagnosis of AF is usually fairly straightforward, but optimal management can be complicated. Rate control is the most commonly used strategy; rhythm control can also be considered in very specific cases. Concurrent congestive heart failure is frequently identified, which represents an extra challenge for the clinicians. This article reviews the current recommendations for the diagnosis and management considerations of AF in dogs. Future perspectives, focusing on new drugs that may prevent development of AF based on recent discoveries, will also be discussed.

Keywords: Anti-arrhythmic drugs; Arrhythmia; Dogs; Prognosis; Rate control; Rhythm control; Treatment.