Cilostazol as medical treatment for bradycardia of cardiac origin in dogs

Abstract

Severe, pathological bradycardia is an arrhythmic condition where the heart rate is below the normal reference therefore the sufficient blood pressure is not upheld, resulting in symptoms such as weakness and syncope. In dogs, common pathological causes for bradycardia are sinus node dysfunction and AV blocks. These conditions usually require pacemaker as treatment. Pacemaker implantation is a surgery requiring high competence, expensive equipment and patients are often of old age and the summation of these factors causes a smaller motivation for the owner to proceed with the implantation. This results in the need for a medication more easily applicable and lower in cost.