Cardiology Service
The Cardiology service provides referral
consultations in cardiovascular medicine. Our team consists of two faculty
board-certified cardiologists, one DVSc graduate student (resident) who is a
specialist in training, and two registered veterinary technicians. Our priority
is our patients and our clients, including the pet owners and referring
veterinarians. Companion animals with symptoms of heart disease, or with
potential heart abnormalities detected by their primary care veterinarian, may
be referred to our service for cardiac diagnostics and therapy. In addition, we
provide cardiac screening services to breeders. The service functions within the
HSC, a teaching hospital, incorporating undergraduate and graduate teaching in
its clinical activities. We also offer a number of clinical research
programs, including clinical trials and screening programs for specific heart
diseases.
We provide state-of-the-art comprehensive
cardiovascular diagnostic services including echocardiography (cardiac
ultrasound), electrocardiography (ECG), thoracic radiography, Holter recording
(24-hour ECG monitoring) with in-house analysis, cardiac catheterization, and
angiography. In addition, we provide cardiovascular case advice to
veterinarians. Available therapies include medical therapy for congenital and
acquired cardiac diseases, and minimally-invasive interventional therapies
including pacemaker placement and catheter-based correction of congenital
disorders (e.g. intravascular occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus, balloon
valvuloplasty for pulmonic stenosis). We are one of very few centers in Canada
providing minimally-invasive interventional techniques.
Specialized Equipment
GE Vivid E90 echocardiographic system,
transesophageal echocardiography, GE ECG system, multiple Holter units for
recording ambulatory 24-hour ECG, in-house Holter analysis system, fluoroscopy,
ADI digital intracardiac pressure and ECG data acquisition system.
What to Expect
The majority of patients seen by the
cardiology service are seen on an outpatient basis. Depending on what
diagnostics are necessary, appointments and work-ups can take as little as 1-2
hours or up to the majority of the day. Echocardiograms and other cardiac
diagnostics are provided on the same day as the cardiology appointments. Some
patients with more serious cardiac disease, or those undergoing procedures,
require hospitalization in the intensive care unit where they continue to be
cared for by our service. We provide ongoing care of our patients through
scheduled rechecks, and emergency services are also available. Undergraduate
and graduate students (residents) are a part of the cardiology team, being
involved in the appointments, diagnostic processes, and patient care under the
supervision of the faculty cardiologist. Prompt and ongoing communication with
the primary care veterinarians who have referred patients to our service is a
priority so that ongoing patient care is optimal.
Members of the Cardiology Service
Dr. Lynne O'Sullivan, DVM, DVSc, Diplomate ACVIM (Cardiology)
Dr. Sonja Fonfara,
DVM, Dr med vet, PhD, Diplomate ECVIM (Cardiology)
Dr. Shari Raheb, DVM, Cardiology
DVSc (resident)
