IRISH Wolfhounds

• Screening is for the unique spectrum of cardiac disease prevalent in the breed. This includes dysrhythmia’s, dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) phenotype and AV valve regurgitation.
• The most common abnormality is atrial fibrillation (AF).  Not all cases of atrial fibrillation will progress to (DCM), but most will.  Most Wolfhounds with DCM will progress to congestive heart failure.
• Screening should start at 2 years of age (prior to the first mating) and be performed annually.
• Standing echocardiography is usually performed and an ECG should always be used. A Holter ECG is often useful.
• A traffic light system can be used for interpretation of the results

RED/Abnormal

Atrial fibrillation

Enlarged (LVIDd >60mm, LVIDs >45mm) & systolic dysfunction

Enlarged OR systolic dysfunction WITH any arrhythmia

Ventricular tachycardia

Mitral regurgitation with left atrial enlargement

Congenital heart disease

 

AMBER/Equivocal

Bundle branch blocks (LAFB, RBBB)

Mildly enlarged (LVIDd >55mm; LVIDs >40mm) + normal systolic function

SVPCs or VPCs (option to Holter)

More than trivial mitral regurgitation

Mild left atrial enlargement

 

GREEN/Normal

Normal ECG

Normal heart size (LVIDd <55mm; LVIDs <40mm) + normal systolic function

Trivial mitral regurgitation