Friederich, J., Seuß, A.C., Wess, G. (2020)
The role of atrial fibrillation as a prognostic factor in Doberman pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy and congestive heart failure.
Veterinary Journal 264: 105535
Abstract

Published October 2020

• Retrospective study
• n = 48 dogs

• 48 Doberman Pinchers with DCM and congestive heart failure (CHF) were split into two groups (with or without AF)
• Dogs with AF had significantly higher mean heart rates (201 beats per minute) than dogs without AF (132 beats per minute)
• Only dogs in the AF group had biventricular and right atrial dilation and concomitant right-sided CHF
• Right atrial enlargement was a strong and significant predictor of AF
• For dogs with AF, mean and median survival times were 88.2 days and 22 days respectively
• For dogs without AF mean and median survival times were 150.7 days and 98 days respectively
• Additional AF was associated with >50% mortality within the first 3 weeks

Limitations

• Due to the retrospective nature of the study, some data was incomplete
• Cardiac dimensions could have been underestimated due to the methods of echocardiography used or the effects of diuretic therapy
• Decisions for euthanasia were subjective and could have influenced survival times