# Real-Time Monitoring of Cardiac Output Using Non-Invasive Impedance Cardiography in Dogs: A Pilot Study on Heartworm Extraction and Gastric Decompression

## TL;DR

This study shows that non-invasive impedance cardiography can track heart function improvements in dogs undergoing treatment for heartworm disease and gastric dilatation.

## Contribution

The study introduces non-invasive impedance cardiography as a practical tool for monitoring cardiovascular changes in dogs with critical conditions.

## Key findings

- Heartworm extraction increased cardiac index by 14.71% in dogs.
- Gastric decompression improved cardiac index by 28.53% in dogs.
- Impedance cardiography effectively detected hemodynamic changes without invasive procedures.

## Abstract

Non-invasive monitoring tools can significantly improve veterinary care for critically ill animals. This study investigated impedance cardiography (ICG) as a method to monitor heart function in dogs with two serious conditions: gastric dilatation and heartworm disease. We examined how key cardiovascular parameters changed before, during, and after standard treatments for these conditions. Our findings revealed that both heartworm extraction and gastric decompression led to measurable improvements in heart function, with cardiac index increasing by 14.71% and 28.53%, respectively. These results demonstrate that ICG can effectively detect hemodynamic changes without invasive procedures, offering veterinarians a practical tool for monitoring patient response to treatment. This approach could improve clinical decision-making and potentially lead to better outcomes for dogs with these critical conditions.

Background: Gastric dilatation (GD) and heartworm disease (HW) can significantly impact cardiovascular function, necessitating timely intervention. This study evaluated hemodynamic changes in these conditions using impedance cardiography (ICG), a non-invasive technique for real-time monitoring. Methods: Cardiac parameters were measured using ICG in healthy controls, HW, and GD groups at baseline, during intervention, and post-treatment. Statistical analyses involved repeated measures ANOVA with post hoc comparisons, and relative changes (%) quantified hemodynamic improvements. Results: A significant increase in cardiac index (CI) occurred post-treatment in both HW (+14.71%, p = 0.0102) and GD (+28.53%, p = 0.0336) groups. Cardiac output (CO) exhibited an increasing trend, though without significance (p > 0.05). Mean arterial pressure (MAP) remained stable, although the GD group exhibited an upward trend post decompression (p = 0.1213). Conclusions: Heartworm extraction and gastric decompression induced measurable cardiovascular improvements, with distinct recovery patterns. Non-invasive monitoring effectively captured cardiovascular changes, suggesting its utility as an adjunctive tool in clinical assessment.