Efeitos cardiorrespiratórios da rinoplastia e estafilectomia em Buldogues Franceses

Abstract

Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) is characterized by a series of anatomical abnormalities of the upper respiratory tract, primarily affecting brachycephalic dog breeds. This study aimed to assess the improvement in cardiopulmonary function in French Bulldogs with BOAS before and after undergoing rhinoplasty and staphylectomy, using clinical parameters and 24-hour Holter electrocardiography. A total of 66 French Bulldogs diagnosed with BOAS were evaluated between March 2023 and December 2024. Of these, 20 underwent surgical procedures, and 14 returned for follow-up evaluations six months postoperatively. All dogs exhibited nostril stenosis and elongated soft palate and were classified based on a comprehensive general clinical assessment combined with a detailed respiratory examination. Additionally, 24-hour Holter monitoring and pre-anesthetic screening tests were performed prior to rhinoplasty and staphylectomy. Clinical evaluations and Holter monitoring were repeated during follow-up visits. Postoperative assessments revealed a significant reduction in clinical signs, including snoring (decreasing from 100% to 64.3%, p=0.04), tachypnea (100% to 21.4%, p<0.0001), median respiratory rate (58 rpm to 20 rpm, p=0.02), cardiac auscultation arrhythmias (57.1% to 14.3%, p=0.04), and exercise intolerance (100% to 21.4%, p<0.0001). Holter monitoring six months post-surgery demonstrated an increase in the average number of sinus pause episodes (20,319.67 to 23,297.44), sinus tachycardia episodes (130.7 to 165.2), and sinus bradycardia episodes (87.7 to 123.7), as well as increases in SDNN (282.7 ms to 296.7 ms), SDANN (159.2 ms to 187.3 ms), and rMSSD (129.2 ms to 165.4 ms, p=0.04). These findings suggest that a high parasympathetic tone persists in these patients even after surgical intervention. In conclusion, rhinoplasty and staphylectomy significantly improved the clinical and respiratory conditions of French Bulldogs with BOAS; however, a predominance of parasympathetic activity remained evident postoperatively.