Successful Emergency Electrocardioversion of Refractory Ventricular Tachycardia in a Mixed Breed Dog.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the treatment of refractory ventricular tachycardia in a dog with the use of electrical cardioversion.

CASE REPORT: A 14-year-old spayed female mixed breed dog was presented for refractory ventricular tachycardia. After numerous failed attempts at medical management, the patient was successfully electrocardioverted and maintained conversion over 5 days of hospitalization.

NEW INFORMATION PROVIDED: This case report supports electrical cardioversion as potentially effective in the treatment of sustained ventricular tachycardia refractory to medical management. Electrical cardioversion should be considered when medical cardioversion fails to abate a life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia.