CARDIOLOGY

Our Expertise

Cardiology, the clinical specialty that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of the heart/vascular system, is governed by The American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialty of Cardiology (ACVIM Cardiology). The ACVIM Cardiology is responsible for establishing training requirements, evaluating and accrediting training programs, as well as examining and certifying veterinary cardiologists.

Board-certified veterinary cardiologists have the designation, Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology). In order to gain board certification in cardiology, a licensed veterinarian must first complete a minimum of three years of accredited advanced training after graduating from veterinary school, and pass a series of rigorous examinations administered by the ACVIM. As part of their training program, board certified veterinary cardiologists receive specific and extensive training in a variety of diagnostic imaging techniques (including echocardiography and angiography), as well as interventional and medical treatments for heart and vascular diseases. The LSU Cardiology Services has two board certified veterinary cardiologists on staff and a veterinary technician.

HOSPITAL SERVICES

Services

The Cardiology service of the LSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital provides state-of-the-art referral and consultation services for veterinarians and clients seeking diagnostics and therapy for veterinary patients with cardiac disease such as chronic valvular disease, cardiomyopathies, congenital heart disease and cardiac rhythm disturbances. The service is staffed by only board-certified* cardiologists who are trained in advanced electrocardiography, echocardiography, and interventional cardiology (including artificial cardiac pacemaker implantation).

Echocardiography: Advanced real-time two and three dimensional imaging with basic and advanced Doppler evaluation (including traditional and tissue Doppler modalities)
Electrocardiography: Basic 6 or 12-lead ECG, continuous ECG monitoring and ambulatory (Holter monitor or event recorder) monitoring for diagnosis of cardiac arrhythmias.
Interventional Cardiology: Including, but not limited to artificial pacemaker implantation, balloon valvuloplasty, PDA occlusion and heartworm embolectomy.
Thoracic radiography: The cardiology service works in coordination with the LSU VTH board-certified radiologists for evaluation and interpretation of radiographic studies involving the cardiovascular system.

What to Expect

Please bring any medical records that you have including discharge statements, blood work and case summaries. Please bring any diagnostic results that you have such as radiographs, ECGs and echocardiogram results. Please bring any medications that your pet is receiving.
In general, we will ask you to leave your pet with us for the afternoon in order to carefully and accurately perform diagnostic testing and treatments if indicated. Your pet will most likely be ready to go home between 3 and 5 p.m.
Please continue to give any medications as directed by your veterinarian or cardiologist on the day of the appointment, even if you know that sedation or anesthesia is planned, unless you have been specifically directed by someone from the cardiology service to withhold particular medications.
We recommend removing your pet's food for about 12 hours before your appointment time. If your pet is debilitated or is a puppy or kitten, feed as usual. Always allow access to fresh water.
Most appointments will follow the outline listed below:
- Physical Examination and History
- A fourth-year veterinary student will escort the client and patient into an exam room to take a complete history while they perform a physical examination on the patient as long as the patient is stable. This will take approximately 15 to 30 minutes.
- The student will then leave the room for about fifteen to thirty minutes to consult with one of our faculty cardiologists and intern. The history, physical examination findings and any previous diagnostic test results will be reviewed. The client will then meet the cardiologist and intern. After a discussion of the diagnostic tests that are recommended, we will ask to keep your pet for the afternoon in order to allow adequate time for complete evaluation.
- Diagnostic tests for patients suspected of having heart disease often include electrocardiography, echocardiography, radiography, and various blood tests. Sedation may be needed for some patients in order to obtain accurate diagnostic test results. We will discuss sedation with you if it is needed for your pet.
- At the time of discharge from the hospital (usually between 3 and 5 p.m.), the cardiologist will discuss the findings from the diagnostic tests and the patient's condition. We will answer any questions that arise and send home any medications deemed necessary. Additionally, a typed discharge summary will also go home with the owner and a copy will be faxed to the referring veterinarian. This summary will describe the diagnostic test results, diagnoses, medications, instructions for monitoring at home and follow up information.