Two-dimensional speckle-tracking of antral contraction in dogs

ABSTRACT

This study was purposed to make the referenced range of stomach antral contraction strain in 50 dogs using 2-dimensional speckle tracking. In addition, the strain results were compared among body condition scores to reveal the correlations of obesity among the subjects of the study. Finally, the medetomidine group that was comprised of 10 dogs was compared with the normal group to identify the medetomidine pharmacologic effect in the stomach antral contraction. Clinically healthy 50 dogs were recruited for the study. In an ultrasonographic examination, the stomach antrum region was scanned, and at least one cycle of antral contraction was recorded. The peak strain of antral contraction in healthy dogs was 58.2 ± 20.47% (mean ± SD). The obesity group showed a high strain result and there were significant correlations between the body condition score (BCS) 2, BCS 3 groups and BCS 8 group. The medetomidine group revealed a low strain result and was significantly correlated with normal group. Two-dimensional speckle tracking was useful to the evaluation of stomach motility disorders.