Effects of 0.5% Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic Solution on Heart Rate and Selected Echocardiographic Indices in Apparently Healthy Cats.

Davis – mechentel news – Echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function is challenging in cats, partially because of transmitral flow pattern fusion associated with high heart rates. With heart rate (HR) reduction, transmitral flow waveforms separate, allowing identification of diastolic dysfunction. Timolol, an ophthalmic, nonselective beta-blocker used in glaucoma is safe and transiently decreases HR in clinical trials. Administration of timolol ophthalmic solution decreases HR and facilitates echocardiographic assessment of diastolic function in cats without inducing clinically relevant adverse effects. Electrocardiograms and echocardiograms including transmitral flow patterns were evaluated before and 20 minutes after ocular administration of 1 drop of timolol 0.5% solution in 25 apparently healthy cats. Twenty cats underwent treatment with timolol, and 5 different cats served as untreated controls to evaluate the effects of acclimation to the hospital environment on HR. Acclimation to the hospital had no effect on HR in control cats. After timolol administration, a significant median HR reduction of 25 bpm was observed (P < .0001). Timolol had no effect on E/A ratio in cats without E/A fusion (7/20, P = .44). Of the 13 cats with E and A waves that were fused before timolol application, separation of these waves was identified in 8 cats (62%) after timolol treatment. No bradyarrhythmias were noted after timolol administration, but 2 cats had first-degree atrioventricular block. Timolol resulted in resolution of dynamic outflow tract obstruction in 6 of 6 cats. Ocular administration of timolol safely decreases HR in cats and could facilitate assessment of diastolic function.

Aautors: Gunther-Harrington CT, Ontiveros ES, Hodge TE, Visser LC, Stern JA.Correspondence: J.A. Stern, DVM, PhD, DACVIM (Cardiology), Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616. E-Mail: jstern@ucdavis.edu. Study: Effects of 0.5% Timolol Maleate Ophthalmic Solution on Heart Rate and Selected Echocardiographic Indices in Apparently Healthy Cats. Source: J Vet Intern Med. 2016 Mar 10. doi: 10.1111/jvim.13931. [Epub ahead of print] Web: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jvim.13931/abstract.