Cor triatriatum sinister in a dog.

This report describes the transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiographic features of cor triatriatum sinister in an asymptomatic 6-year-old male French bulldog. Although cor triatriatum sinister represents a well-known and widely described cardiac malformation in humans, its description in the canine population is rare. In this clinical case, non-invasive echocardiographic techniques were helpful in visualizing and characterizing the lesion, allowing a valuable assessment of the malformation, and its hemodynamic consequences.

Evaluation of age-dependent changes of myocardial velocity using pulsed wave and colour tissue Doppler imaging in adult warmblood horses.

Our aim was to evaluate the influence of the ageing process on the myocardium using pulsed wave tissue Doppler (PW-TDI) and colour tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI) to measure myocardial velocities at three different myocardial regions (right ventricular free wall: RVFW, interventricular septum: IVS, left ventricular free wall: LVFW). A total of 60 healthy warmblood horses, aged from 3 to 30 years, were examined. The horses were divided into five age groups (group 1: 3-8 years, n = 14; group 2: 9-13 years, n = 9; group 3: 14-18 years, n = 10; group 4: 19-23 years, n = 14; group 5: 24-30 years, n = 10). The results showed that age has a significant influence on the radial myocardial velocity of horses in different myocardial regions. This influence was detectable by both echocardiographic techniques, although PW-TDI measurements showed a higher reproducibility due to lower intraindividual variation coefficients. Systolic contraction velocity (p ≤ 0.01) and early diastolic relaxation velocity (p ≤ 0.001) in the LVFW decreased significantly with ageing, while late diastolic contraction velocity increased (0.001 < p ≤ 0.01). Early and late diastolic contraction velocities at the IVS increased significantly with ageing (p ≤ 0.001). Systolic and late-diastolic contraction velocities at the RVFW increased significantly with ageing (p ≤ 0.001). The results indicated a decrease in left ventricular contraction ability and reduced myocardial relaxation and altered diastolic function in the right ventricle with increasing age. These functional changes may be signs of age-related structural myocardial changes or cardiac remodelling, such as increased myocardial stiffness. Thus, an assessment of the radial myocardial velocities of a horse's heart with TDI should always consider physiological age-related changes in contractility. Comparing the two examination techniques (PW-TDI and cTDI) we used in our study, we found that both methods showed comparable age-related alterations. Nevertheless, differences in absolute values were found with a tendency of higher values using PW-TDI in comparison to cTDI.

Detection of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction by tissue Doppler imaging in horses with aortic regurgitation.

BACKGROUND: Aortic regurgitation (AR) can have an important clinical impact and in some cases leads to left ventricular (LV) failure. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is an echocardiographic technique that has been used in horses to detect LV dysfunction. OBJECTIVES: To examine whether TDI detects changes in radial myocardial wall motion in horses with AR compared with control horses. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study. METHODS: Echocardiography was performed in 30 healthy Warmblood horses and 34 Warmblood horses with AR, subdivided in groups with mild, moderate or severe AR. TDI measurements were performed on six segments of the short-axis images of the LV myocardial wall. Myocardial wall motion was evaluated by measuring velocity and deformation during isovolumetric contraction, systole, early and late diastole. Timing of different events was also measured. RESULTS: In most segments, a significantly higher systolic myocardial velocity was found in horses with AR compared with controls. Horses with AR also had higher late diastolic velocity, although the difference was not significant in all segments. TDI measurement of timing intervals demonstrated less difference between groups. MAIN LIMITATIONS: There was a significant difference in age between the control group and horses with AR, which may confound the results. The assessment of AR severity was based on subjective criteria as there is no gold standard. CONCLUSIONS: TDI showed significant differences in radial systolic and late diastolic myocardial velocity in horses with AR. This could indicate an altered LV function in these horses, but further research is needed to investigate the prognostic value of these measurements.

Epidemiological, clinical, and echocardiographic features and survival times of dogs and cats with tetralogy of Fallot: 31 cases (2003-2014).

OBJECTIVE To characterize the epidemiological, clinical, and echocardiographic features of dogs and cats with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) and determine their survival times. DESIGN Retrospective case series. ANIMALS 15 dogs and 16 cats with a diagnosis of TOF as determined via echocardiography. PROCEDURES Medical records of dogs and cats were reviewed to extract information on signalment, clinical status at the time of TOF diagnosis, echocardiographic findings, and any outcome data. RESULTS The most common canine breeds were terrier types (n = 7). Most animals (28/31 [90%]) had clinical signs of TOF at the time of diagnosis, including cyanosis (16/31 [52%]). Pulmonic stenosis was characterized by a variable systolic Doppler-derived pressure gradient (median [range], 108 mm Hg [26 to 255 mm Hg]). Most ventricular septal defects were large, with a median (range) ratio of the diameter of the ventricular septal defect to that of the aorta of 0.60 (0.18 to 1.15). Median age at cardiac-related death was 23.4 months, with no significant difference between dogs and cats. Median survival time from TOF diagnosis to cardiac-related death was briefer for animals with no or low-grade heart murmur (3.4 months) than for those with higher-grade heart murmur (16.4 months). After adjustment for age and sex, having a lack of or a low- to mild-grade systolic heart murmur was significantly associated with a briefer survival time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE With a few exceptions, cardiac-related death occurred predominantly in young adult dogs and cats with TOF, and most animals had severe clinical signs at the time of TOF diagnosis.

Cardiac and Respiratory Disease in Aged Horses.

Respiratory and cardiac diseases are common in older horses. Advancing age is a specific risk factor for cardiac murmurs and these are more likely in males and small horses. Airway inflammation is the most common respiratory diagnosis. Recurrent airway obstruction can lead to irreversible structural change and bronchiectasis; with chronic hypoxia, right heart dysfunction and failure can develop. Valvular heart disease most often affects the aortic and/or the mitral valve. Management of comorbidity is an essential element of the therapeutic approach to cardiac and respiratory disease in older equids.

Influence of detomidine on atrial fibrillation cycle length measured by intracardiac electrogram recording and by colour tissue Doppler imaging in horses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Shortening of atrial fibrillation cycle length (AFCL) is a marker of atrial electrical remodelling due to atrial fibrillation (AF). OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of administration of detomidine on AFCL measured invasively from an intra-atrial electrogram (AFCLEGM) and noninvasively by tissue Doppler imaging (AFCLTDI). We hypothesised that detomidine would have no effect on AFCL but would improve the ease of TDI measurements and facilitate noninvasive AFCL determination. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective clinical study. METHODS: Measurements were performed before and after i.v. administration of 7.5 µg/kg bwt detomidine in 33 episodes of AF in 32 horses (582 ± 64 kg bwt, 10 ± 3 years old) referred for electrical cardioversion. The AFCLEGM was measured from a right atrial intracardiac electrogram. The AFCLTDI was measured from atrial colour tissue velocity curves in 5 atrial wall regions. Mean AFCLEGM and AFCLTDI without and with sedation were compared using a repeated-measures linear mixed model with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons and calculation of the Bland-Altman mean bias and limits of agreement between AFCLEGM and AFCLTDI. RESULTS: The mean AFCL was significantly increased after sedation, but this increase was very small (mean difference +4 ms). For AFCLTDI measurements, sedation significantly improved the quality of the atrial myocardial velocity curves and the number of AF cycles that could be measured per cardiac cycle. The Bland-Altman bias between AFCLEGM without sedation and AFCLTDI with sedation ranged from -18 to +15 ms depending on wall region. Bland-Altman limits of agreement were similar between AFCLEGM without sedation and AFCLTDI without and with sedation. Therefore, noninvasive AFCLTDI measurements with sedation can be used to estimate the atrial fibrillatory rate. CONCLUSIONS: Sedation facilitates noninvasive AFCL measurements but causes a slight increase in AFCL. Noninvasive AFCL measurements can be used as an indicator of atrial electrical remodelling, to study AF pathophysiology and to investigate the effect of anti-arrhythmic drugs.

Simpson's method of discs in Salukis and Whippets: Echocardiographic reference intervals for end-diastolic and end-systolic left ventricular volumes.

BACKGROUND: Sighthound breeds are known to have different cardiac sizes and dimensions from other breeds; therefore, breed-specific references are required to avoid misinterpretation of echocardiographic findings. End-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-systolic volume (ESV) reference intervals derived from Simpson's method of discs (SMOD) do not exist for Salukis or Whippets. OBJECTIVES: To establish EDV and ESV reference intervals for SMOD in Salukis and Whippets. ANIMALS: 110 Salukis and 119 Whippets. METHODS: Reference intervals for SMOD with and without normalization to body surface area (BSA) were established using the right parasternal and left apical views in 93 healthy Salukis and 82 healthy Whippets. Volumes were compared between both echocardiographic views, genders, and racing and show pedigree dogs. The 90% reference intervals were calculated using the robust method. RESULTS: Agreement between right-sided and left-sided echocardiographic views was good. Reference intervals indexed to body surface area (BSA) for Whippets were 59-109 mL/m² for end-diastolic volume index and 18-53 mL/m² for end-systolic volume index. Corresponding values for Salukis were 68-126 mL/m² for end-diastolic volume index and 27-64 mL/m² for end-systolic volume index. There were no indexed volume differences between male and female or racing and show pedigree dogs in both breeds. The non-normalized volumes significantly differed between genders. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Whippets and Salukis had larger systolic and diastolic left ventricular volumes compared with other breeds. This study provided echocardiographic reference intervals for SMOD-derived left ventricular volumes for these athletic breeds.

Stenting of the right ventricular outflow tract in 2 dogs for palliation of dysplastic pulmonary valve stenosis and right-to-left intracardiac shunting defects.

Two dogs with severe dysplastic pulmonary valve stenosis and right-to-left shunting defects (patent foramen ovale, perimembranous ventricular septal defect) underwent palliative stenting of the right ventricular outflow tract and pulmonary valve annulus using balloon expandable stents. One dog received 2 over-lapping bare metal stents placed 7 months apart; the other received a single covered stent. Both procedures were considered technically successful with a reduction in the transpulmonary valve pressure gradient from 202 to 90 mmHg in 1 dog and from 168 to 95 mmHg in the other. Clinical signs of exercise intolerance and syncope were temporarily resolved in both dogs. However, progressive right ventricular concentric hypertrophy, recurrent stenosis, and erythrocytosis were observed over the subsequent 6 months leading to poor long-term outcomes. Stenting of the right ventricular outflow tract is feasible in dogs with severe dysplastic pulmonary valve stenosis, though further study and optimization of the procedure is required.

Echocardiographic and radiographic findings in a cohort of healthy adult green iguanas (Iguana iguana).

OBJECTIVES: To describe characteristics of echocardiography and cranial coelomic radiography in a cohort of iguanas. ANIMALS: Twenty apparently healthy adult green iguanas (Iguana iguana) from a reptile sanctuary. METHODS: Physical examination, radiography, two-dimensional and color Doppler echocardiography were performed to assess cardiac structures and function, and any related normal or abnormal findings were recorded. RESULTS: Echocardiographic examination was possible without sedation and allowed visualization of the great vessels, atria, and ventricle. Some structures could not be evaluated in a minority of the iguanas due to individual differences in bony conformation and imaging quality. Suspected abnormal echocardiographic findings in 3 iguanas included pericardial effusion (n = 1) and enlarged caudal vena cava and/or sinus venosus (n = 2). Objective measurements were repeatable as assessed by within-subject coefficient of variation, and reliable as assessed by intra-observer intraclass correlation coefficient. Left atrial and ventricular measurements were significantly correlated with body weight. Valve regurgitation was common, with atrioventricular valve regurgitation present in 53% (9/17) and aortic or pulmonic valve regurgitation in 71% (12/17) of otherwise normal iguanas. A heart murmur was not appreciated during examination of any of the iguanas. Heart size cannot be measured radiographically due to superimposition and silhouetting of other coelomic structures. Echocardiographic or radiographic findings consistent with mineralization of the great vessels were present in 76% of iguanas (13/17). CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiography in iguanas is well tolerated without sedation and allowed both subjective evaluation and structural measurements. Valve regurgitation and great vessel mineralization were commonly observed in this cohort of apparently healthy adult iguanas.

Assessment of mitral regurgitation severity by Doppler color flow mapping of the vena contracta in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Quantitative and semiquantitative methods have been proposed for the assessment of MR severity, and though all are associated with limitations. Measurement of vena contracta width (VCW) has been used in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To measure the VCW in dogs with different levels of MR severity. ANIMALS: Two hundred and seventy-nine dogs were classified according to 5 levels of MR severity. METHODS: This was a retrospective study. EROA and regurgitant volume calculated by the PISA method, were measured and indexed to BSA. Descriptive statistics were calculated for VCW and VCW index for all categories of MR severity. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients (ρs ) were calculated to compare the results of the different methods (VCW and VCW index vs RV PISA, RV PISA index, EROA, EROA index), and between VCW and VCW index versus MR severity. RESULTS: All Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were significant (P < .001). The median values of VCW resulted of 2.9 mm (IQR 3.4-2.5) and of 4.6 mm (IQR 5.4-4.1) in the groups previously classified as mild-to-moderate and moderate-to-severe, respectively. The median values of VCW index resulted of 4.4 mm/m(2) (IQR = 5.5-4.2) in mild-to-moderate MR and of 10.8 mm/m(2) (IQR = 12.8-9.4) in moderate-to-severe MR. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: This is not a validation study against any previously validated invasive gold standard, the VCW method has proved easy to employ and it might be an additional tool in quantifying disease severity that supports, rather than replace, data coming from other techniques in daily clinical practice and research.

Avaliação da função diastólica por meio de Doppler tecidual pulsado e colorido em gatos da raça Maine Coon geneticamente testados para a mutação no gene MyBPC-A31P / Assessment of diastolic function by pulsed and color tissue Doppler echocardiography in Maine Coon cats tested for MyBPC-A31P mutation

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common feline heart disease and is characterized by increased cardiac mass with a hypertrophied nondilated left ventricle. Myocardial dysfunction occurs in cats with HCM but less is known about dysfunctions in initial stages of HCM. A mutation in MYBPC-A31P gene has been identified in a colony of Maine Coon cats with HCM. However, the close correlation between genotype and phenotype still be inconclusive. Myocardial analysis by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) is a noninvasive echocardiographic method to assess systolic and diastolic function that is more sensitive than conventional echocardiography. To evaluate diastolic and systolic function in cats with mutation, with or without ventricular hypertrophy, Maine Coon cats (n=57) were screened for mutation and examined with both echocardiography and TDI (pulsed tissue Doppler and color tissue Doppler methods). Then, were phenotypically classified in: normal (n=45), suspects (n=7) and HCM group (n=5); and genotypically classified in: negative (n=28), heterozygous (n=26) and homozygous group (n=3). Myocardial velocities (by pulsed and color tissue Doppler imaging) measured in the basal and mildventricular segment of the interventricular septal wall (IVS), left ventricular free wall (LVW), left ventricular anterior wall (LVAW), left ventricular posterior wall (LVPW) and radial segment of LVW, was compared among different groups. A decreased longitudinal Em velocities (pulsed tissue Doppler) at the mildventricular segment of LVW was observed in HCM cats compared with suspects and normal cats. A decreased longitudinal Em/Am (color tissue Doppler) at the basal segment of IVS was observed in HCM cats compared with suspects and normal cats. A significant increased longitudinal E/Em (color tissue Doppler) at the basal segment of IVS was observed in HCM cats compared with suspects and normal cats. And a significant decreased longitudinal Sm (color tissue Doppler) at the basal segment of the LVW was observed in heterozygous cats compared with negative cats, both without hypertrophy. There was a positive correlation between summated early and late diastolic velocities (Em/Am) and heart rate; and a positive correlation between Sm and Em velocities and heart rate, both in pulsed and in color TDI. TDI analyses are a new, valuable and reproducible method in cats that alone is not able to identify cats with mutation before myocardial hypertrophy. Despite high expectations regarding the use of TDI for early identification of individuals with HCM, there is still need for larger studies with greater numbers of individuals.

A cardiomiopatia hipertrófica (CMH) é a principal cardiopatia dos felinos e é caracterizada por hipertrofia miocárdica concêntrica, sem dilatação ventricular. Disfunções miocárdicas ocorrem em gatos com CMH, mas pouco se conhece a respeito destas alterações nos estágios iniciais da afecção. Em gatos da raça Maine Coon, a mutação no gene MyBPC-A31P está relacionada com a CMH de origem familial, porém, a correlação exata entre o genótipo e o fenótipo ainda é inconclusiva. A ecocardiografia tecidual é uma modalidade não invasiva que permite avaliação da função miocárdica e é mais sensível que a ecocardiografia convencional. Para avaliar as funções sistólica e diastólica, antes ou após a ocorrência de hipertrofia ventricular, gatos da raça Maine Coon (n=57), geneticamente testados para a mutação, foram avaliados por meio de ecocardiografias convencional e tecidual (nas modalidades Doppler tecidual pulsado e Doppler tecidual colorido). Posteriormente, foram fenotipicamente classificados em: normais (n=45), suspeitos (n=7) e acometidos pela CMH (n=5); e genotipicamente classificados em: negativos (n=28), heterozigotos (n=26) e homozigotos para a mutação (n=3). Valores de velocidades miocárdicas (Doppler tecidual pulsado e colorido) medidos na região basal e média do septo interventricular (SIV), da parede livre do ventrículo esquerdo (PVE), da parede anterior do ventrículo esquerdo (PAVE), da parede posterior do ventrículo esquerdo (PPVE) e do segmento radial da PVE, foram comparados nos diferentes grupos. Observou-se que as velocidades longitudinais Em (Doppler tecidual pulsado) na região média da PVE foram menores nos gatos com CMH quando comparados com suspeitos e normais. Os valores de Em/Am (Doppler tecidual colorido), na região basal do SIV, foram inferiores nos gatos com CMH quando comparados com suspeitos e normais. A relação E/Em (Doppler tecidual colorido), na região basal do SIV, foi maior nos gatos com CMH em relação aos suspeitos e normais, enquanto que os valores de Sm (Doppler tecidual colorido), em região basal da PVE, foram menores nos gatos heterozigotos quando comparados com os negativos, ambos sem hipertrofia ventricular. Observou-se correlação positiva entre a ocorrência de fusão das ondas Em e Am e a frequência cardíaca, assim como correlação positiva entre valores de Sm e Em e a frequência cardíaca (Doppler tecidual pulsado e colorido). A ecocardiografia tecidual é uma nova modalidade ecocardiográfica reprodutível em gatos que, isoladamente, não permite diferenciar gatos portadores da mutação antes do desenvolvimento de hipertrofia ventricular. Apresenta utilidade como auxílio no diagnóstico em fases iniciais, mas, apesar da expectativa para a identificação precoce de indivíduos portadores da CMH, ainda há necessidade de estudos mais extensos e com maior número de indivíduos.

Simpson's method of discs for measurement of echocardiographic end-diastolic and end-systolic left ventricular volumes: breed-specific reference ranges in Boxer dogs.

BACKGROUND: Boxer dogs are predisposed to congenital and adult onset cardiac diseases. Breed-specific reference values for M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic measurements previously have been established. Left ventricular (LV) end-systolic (ESV) and end-diastolic volumes (EDV) can be measured by M-mode or two-dimensional methods, such as Simpson's method of discs (SMOD). Reference ranges for SMOD-derived LV volumes are lacking. OBJECTIVES: To determine reference intervals for EDV and ESV in Boxer dogs. ANIMALS: Previously collected data from 85 healthy Boxers (37 males and 48 females) were used for analysis. METHODS: Simpson's method of discs-derived EDV and ESV were measured using offline analysis by 1 observer, in both the right parasternal and the left apical views. Measurements were compared between both views and between male and female dogs using a t-test. Reference intervals were established using the mean + 2 × SD. RESULTS: Measurements obtained from both views showed good agreement, and mean EDVI and ESVI, indexed to body surface area (BSA), were calculated. Reference intervals were 49-93 mL/m² for EDVI, and 22-50 mL/m² for ESVI. EDV and ESV were significantly higher in males compared with females, when indexing to BSA, but not when indexing to body weight. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The upper limit for ESVI exceeds the previously suggested cut-off of 30 mL/m² for detection of systolic dysfunction. The reference intervals generated in this study should be useful clinically in the assessment of LV size and function in Boxer dogs.

Noninvasive determination of atrial fibrillation cycle length by atrial colour tissue Doppler imaging in horses.

REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Atrial fibrillation cycle length (AFCL) is an indicator of atrial electrical remodelling during atrial fibrillation (AF). OBJECTIVES: To compare AFCL measured invasively from an intra-atrial electrogram (AFCLEGM ) with AFCL measured noninvasively by atrial colour tissue Doppler imaging (AFCLTDI ). STUDY DESIGN: Prospective descriptive clinical study. METHODS: Measurements were performed in 31 episodes of AF or flutter in 29 horses (588 ± 61 kg bwt, 9 ± 3 years old) admitted for transvenous electrical cardioversion. The AFCLEGM was measured from an intracardiac electrogram using a bipolar sensing/pacing electrode inserted into the right atrium. The AFCLTDI was measured from atrial colour tissue velocity curves in the following 5 regions: 1) left atrial free wall from a right parasternal 4-chamber view, 2) left atrial free wall from a short-axis view, 3) left atrial free wall from a left parasternal long-axis view, 4) interatrial septum, and 5) right atrial dorsal wall near the tuberculum intervenosum. The AFCLEGM and AFCLTDI from the 5 regions were compared using a one-way repeated-measures ANOVA with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons and calculation of the Bland-Altman mean bias and limits of agreement of AFCLEGM and AFCLTDI . RESULTS: The AFCLEGM was 161 ± 18 ms in 29 AF episodes. Two horses showed atrial flutter and had an AFCLEGM of 244 and 324 ms. The mean bias between AFCLTDI and AFCLEGM ranged from -18 to +9 ms depending on the atrial wall region. The AFCLTDI was significantly shorter in the left atrial free wall from the right parasternal 4-chamber view and short-axis view than in the other regions (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Tissue Doppler imaging allows noninvasive measurement of AFCL in horses with AF and is able to identify spatial differences within the equine atria. Atrial fibrillation cycle length is an indicator of atrial electrical remodelling and is an important parameter to study AF pathophysiology or the effect of antiarrhythmic drugs.

Modified loop technique in three dogs with mitral regurgitation.

Mitral valvuloplasty (MVP) is used in dogs with refractory mitral regurgitation (MR); however, it is difficult to tie the artificial chord, i.e., the expanded polytetrafluoroethylene suture, at the planned height of the mitral valve, because of the slippery nature of the knot. The loop technique has resolved these difficulties in humans. Premanufactured loops (length, 8.0-15.0 mm with 1.0-mm increments) were used in the new modified loop technique. In the current study, cardiac murmurs disappeared, and the MR markedly improved or completely disappeared approximately 3 months after surgery in 3 dogs. Therefore, this new technique might be effective in dogs.

Effect of sample volume size and sampling method on feline longitudinal myocardial velocity profiles from color tissue Doppler imaging.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to compare the effect of sample volume (SV) size settings and sampling method on measurement variability and peak systolic (s'), and early (e') and late (a') diastolic longitudinal myocardial velocities using color tissue Doppler imaging (cTDI) in cats. ANIMALS: Twenty cats with normal echocardiograms and 20 cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. METHODS: We quantified and compared empirical variance and average absolute values of s', e' and a' for three cardiac cycles using eight different SV settings (length 1,2,3 and 5 mm; width 1 and 2 mm) and three methods of sampling (end-diastolic sampling with manual tracking of the SV, end-systolic sampling without tracking, and random-frame sampling without tracking). RESULTS: No significant difference in empirical variance could be demonstrated between most of the tested SVs. However, the two settings with a length of 1 mm resulted in a significantly higher variance compared with all settings where the SV length exceeded 2 mm (p < 0.001). There was an overall significant effect of sampling method on the variability of measurements (p = 0.003) and manual tracking obtained the lowest variance. No difference in average values of s', e' or a' could be found between any of the SV settings or sampling methods. CONCLUSION: Within the tested range of SV settings, an SV length of 1 mm resulted in higher measurement variability compared with an SV length of 3 and 5 mm, and should therefore be avoided. Manual tracking of the sample volume is recommended.

Prospective echocardiographic and tissue Doppler screening of a large Sphynx cat population: reference ranges, heart disease prevalence and genetic aspects.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To investigate heart morphology and function using echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), (2) to determine heart disease prevalence and characteristics, and (3) to assess potential genetic features in a population of Sphynx cats presented for cardiovascular screening. ANIMALS: A total of 147 echocardiographic examinations, including 33 follow-ups, were performed by trained observers on 114 Sphynx cats of different ages (2.62 ± 1.93 years [0.5-10.0]) from 2004 to 2011. METHODS: Sphynx cats underwent a physical examination, conventional echocardiography, and, if possible, two-dimensional color TDI. RESULTS: Conventional echocardiographic findings included 75/114 normal (65.8%) and 39/114 (34.2%) abnormal examinations with a diagnosis of either congenital heart diseases (n = 16) or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM, n = 23). In adult healthy cats, a significant body weight effect was observed for several echocardiographic variables, including end-diastolic left ventricular (LV) free wall (P < 0.01), interventricular septum (P < 0.001), and LV diameter (P < 0.001). Mitral valve dysplasia (MVD) was observed as a single or associated defect in 15/16 cats with congenital heart diseases. A significant increase in HCM prevalence (P < 0.001) was observed according to age. The pedigree analysis of a large family (n = 81) suggested an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance with incomplete penetrance for HCM. CONCLUSIONS: Body weight should be taken into account when interpreting values of diastolic myocardial wall thicknesses in Sphynx cats. Additionally, HCM and MVD are two relatively common heart diseases in this feline breed. More pedigree data are required to confirm the inheritance pattern of HCM at the breed level.

Ventricular septal defect in a ferret (Mustela putorius furo).

A four-year-old, castrated male ferret (Mustela putorius furo) was evaluated because of a one-year history of sporadic cough. On physical examination a grade 5 of 6 holosystolic murmur was audible over the right apex of the heart. Radiographic findings included the presence of air bronchograms in apical lobes accompanied by pulmonary venous congestion. Colour Doppler echocardiography revealed a left-to-right shunting compatible with a ventricular septal defect. Medical therapy was initiated at the time of the diagnosis. The ferret was presented again 2 months after the initial examination for coughing and respiratory distress. Echocardiographic findings included tricuspid regurgitation, relative enlargement of left-atrial diameter and decreased systolic function, with presence of pleural effusion. Thoracocentesis was performed and the therapeutic plan was revised. In the following months the symptoms did not recur. In the authors' opinion this is the first report to describe the clinical findings of isolated ventricular septal defect in the ferret. Congenital heart defects are rare in this species, the present ferret being only the second case described.

[Measuring myocardial velocity using tissue Doppler imaging in healthy dogs]. / Messung der myokardialen Geschwindigkeit mittels Gewebe-Doppler beim gesunden Hund.

OBJECTIVE: of the study was to evaluate tissue velocity imaging (TVI) with respect to its reproducibility and to introduce reference values in a large canine population. In addition, the influence of gender, heart rate, age, weight and breed of the dogs was evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 199 healthy dogs were included. The longitudinal TVI was recorded from an apical four-chamber view using colour Doppler technique in unsedated dogs. Each myocardial wall was recorded as a single wall image, aligning the ultrasound beam as parallel as possible to the longitudinal motion of the respective wall. Off-line analysis was performed using the Q-analysis software. RESULTS: Coefficients of variance for intrareader and interreader variability for each parameter were less than 10.0% and 12.4%, respectively. Tissue velocities were heterogeneously distributed within the myocardium, demonstrating an apico-basal gradient. Whereas gender did not influence TVI variables, heart rate, age, breed and weight had a significant influence on the tissue velocity. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: TVI is a sophisticated and promising echocardiographic technique. It is relatively easy to perform and can be included in the evaluation of systolic and diastolic myocardial function in routine daily practice. One limitation is that it is influenced by heart rate, age, breed and weight of the dogs. This study provides a basis for further investigation on this topic and supplies reference values for different weight groups in dogs.

[Aortic insufficiency: diagnosis and haemodynamics, incidence in an unselected group of Irish Wolfhounds]. / Die Aortenklappeninsuffizienz: Diagnose und Hämodynamik, Vorkommen in einer nichtselektierten Gruppe Irischer Wolfshunde.

Common causes of acute and chronic aortic regurgitation are discussed. The main diagnostic tool is focused on echocardiographic evaluation and determination of the severity. A group of 50 Irish Wolfhounds underwent a clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examination. In 40 dogs an abnormal finding due to heart disease could be detected, which comprised an aortic insufficiency in 23 of the dogs. Only in one case was a severe degree of aortic regurgitation found, while in nine cases a moderate and in 13 dogs a mild degree was found. The occurrence of additional findings as atrial and chamber enlargement, mitral valve insufficiency, and atrial fibrillation correlated with the severity of the aortic insufficiency.