Volumetric quantification identifies some left atrial dilations undetected by left atrium:aorta ratio measurements: A prospective echocardiographic study in 155 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels with and without degenerative mitral valve disease.

INTRODUCTION: Degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) is the most common canine heart disease with a high predisposition in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCSs). Mitral regurgitation related to DMVD can lead to left atrial (LA) dilation, which is associated with survival time. Left-atrial-to-aortic (LA:Ao) ratio assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography is commonly used to evaluate LA size. The objectives of this prospective observational study were therefore 1) to compare different echocardiographic methods (i.e., monoplane and biplane Simpson's methods of discs (SMOD) and area-length methods (ALM)) in evaluating LA volume (LAvol) in CKCSs, 2) to assess LA volumes according to DMVD severity and, 3) compare the ability of LAvol and LA:Ao ratio to identify LA enlargement in CKCSs with subclinical DMVD (i.e., American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) stage B). MATERIALS AND METHODS: 155 CKCSs, either healthy or affected by DMVD, were recruited. Variability and concordance between volumetric methods were evaluated. Values were analyzed according to 2019 ACVIM stages. RESULTS: All Lin's concordance correlation coefficients regarding intra- and inter-observer variability were considered as very good to excellent. Monoplane methods and ALM produced higher values of LAvol than biplane methods and SMOD, respectively. The upper limit of normal end-systolic LAvol/body weight (LASvol/BW) was defined as 0.90 mL/kg. Left atrial volumes significantly increased with ACVIM stages. Additionally, 37% of stage B1 CKCSs demonstrated LA enlargement using LASvol/BW assessment, with significantly lower LASvol/BW values in dogs with regurgitation fraction ≤30% than in others (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: In CKCSs, LAvol methods are not interchangeable. In ACVIM stage B CKCSs, LAvol quantification is more effective to detect LA enlargement than LA linear measurements.

Prospective evaluation of a telmisartan suppression test as a diagnostic tool for primary hyperaldosteronism in cats.

BACKGROUND: In a previous study, telmisartan suppressed aldosterone secretion in healthy cats but not in cats with primary hyperaldosteronism (PHA). HYPOTHESES: Telmisartan suppresses aldosterone secretion in middle-aged healthy cat and cats with diseases that may result in secondary hyperaldosteronism, but not in those with PHA. ANIMALS: Thirty-eight cats: 5 with PHA; 16 with chronic kidney disease (CKD), subclassified as hypertensive (CKD-H) or non-hypertensive (CKD-NH); 9 with hyperthyroidism (HTH); 2 with idiopathic systemic arterial hypertension (ISH); and 6 healthy middle-aged cats. METHODS: Prospective, cross-sectional study. Serum aldosterone concentration, potassium concentration, and systolic blood pressure were measured before and 1 and 1.5 hours after PO administration of 2 mg/kg of telmisartan. The aldosterone variation rate (AVR) was calculated for each cat. RESULTS: No significant difference in the minimum AVR was observed among groups (median [quartile 1 (Q1); quartile 3 (Q3)]: 25 [0; 30]; 5 [-27; -75]; 10 [-6; -95]; 53 [19; 86]; 29 [5; 78]) for PHA, CKD, HTH, ISH, and healthy cats, respectively (P = .05). Basal serum aldosterone concentration (pmol/L) was significantly higher in PHA cats (median [Q1; Q3]: 2914 [2789; 4600]) than in CKD-H cats (median [Q1; Q3]: 239 [189; 577], corrected P value = .003) and CKD-NH cats (median [Q1; Q3]: 353 [136; 1371], corrected P value = .004). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The oral telmisartan suppression test using a single dose of 2 mg/kg telmisartan did not discriminate cats with PHA from healthy middle-aged cats or cats with diseases that may result in secondary hyperaldosteronism.

CardiOvascular examination in awake Orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus): Low-stress Echocardiography including Speckle Tracking imaging (the COOLEST method).

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular diseases have been identified as a major cause of mortality and morbidity in Borneo orangutans (Pongo pygmaeus pygmaeus). Transthoracic echocardiography is usually performed under anesthesia in great apes, which may be stressful and increase risks of peri-anesthetic complications in case of cardiac alteration. The aim of the present pilot study was hence to develop a quick and non-stressful echocardiographic method (i.e., the COOLEST method) in awake Borneo orangutans (CardiOvascular examination in awake Orangutans: Low-stress Echocardiography including Speckle Tracking imaging) and assess the variability of corresponding variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four adult Borneo orangutans trained to present their chest to the trainers were involved. A total of 96 TTE examinations were performed on 4 different days by a trained observer examining each orangutan 6 times per day. Each examination included four two-dimensional views, with offline assessment of 28 variables (i.e., two-dimensional (n = 12), M-mode and anatomic M-mode (n = 6), Doppler (n = 7), and speckle tracking imaging (n = 3)), representing a total of 2,688 measurements. A general linear model was used to determine the within-day and between-day coefficients of variation. RESULTS: Mean±SD (minimum-maximum) images acquisition duration was 3.8±1.6 minutes (1.3-6.3). All within-day and between-day coefficients of variation but one (n = 55/56, 98%) were <15%, and most (51/56, 91%) were <10% including those of speckle tracking systolic strain variables (2.7% to 5.4%). DISCUSSION: Heart morphology as well as global and regional myocardial function can be assessed in awake orangutans with good to excellent repeatability and reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS: This non-stressful method may be used for longitudinal cardiac follow-up in awake orangutans.

Red blood cell abnormalities occur in dogs with congenital ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: To document RBC abnormalities in dogs with congenital ventricular outflow tract obstruction. ANIMALS: 62 dogs with pulmonic stenosis (PS) or aortic stenosis (AS) and 20 control dogs were recruited. PROCEDURES: The proportions of RBCs that were schistocytes, acanthocytes, and keratocytes were assessed. Complete blood cell counts were performed. Tested variables included hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and erythrocyte count. RESULTS: Median (interquartile range [IQR]) peak systolic Doppler-derived trans-stenotic pressure gradient (∆P) values were 161 mm Hg (108 to 215 mm Hg) and 134 mm Hg (125 to 165 mm Hg) for dogs with PS and AS, respectively. Hematologic abnormalities were detected in most dogs with AS or PS (54/62 [87%]) versus 8/20 [40%] in control dogs, with schistocytes found in 40 of 62 (65%; median, 0.1% RBCs; IQR, 0% to 0.3%), acanthocytes in 29 of 62 (47%; median, 0.3% RBCs; IQR, 0% to 0.9%), keratocytes in 39 of 62 (63%; median, 0% RBCs; IQR, 0% to 0.2%), and hemolytic anemia in 4 dogs with PS. No significant association was identified between these abnormalities and ∆P. However, 3 of 4 dogs with anemia had a ∆P > 200 mm Hg (range, 242 to 340 mm Hg). The dog with the highest ∆P value also had the most severe anemia and schistocytosis, and both resolved after balloon valvuloplasty. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Poikilocytosis is common in dogs with congenital ventricular outflow tract obstruction, with anemia only observed in few dogs with high ∆P values.

Tolerance of torasemide in cats with congestive heart failure: a retrospective study on 21 cases (2016-2019).

BACKGROUND: In dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF), the efficacy of torasemide, a loop diuretic, has been demonstrated. However, unlike in dogs and humans little has been described about the use of torasemide in the cat with spontaneous CHF. The objectives of this retrospective study were therefore to describe the therapeutic use of oral torasemide in cats with spontaneous CHF, document its potential adverse effects while reporting the clinical course of this feline population following torasemide administration in addition to standard medical therapy. RESULTS: Medical records of 21 client-owned cats with CHF (median age = 10.6 years [interquartile range (IQR) = 6.5-11.2]) receiving torasemide were reviewed. Data collected included torasemide dosages, other concurrent medications, physical examination features, echocardiographic data, and potential adverse effects during follow-up. A survival analysis was performed to estimate the time from diagnosis to cardiac death. Dyspnea related to CHF was identified in all cats (pleural effusion [8/21], pulmonary edema [5/21] or both [8/21]), associated with ascites in 4/21 cats. The CHF cause was determined by echocardiography in all cats: hypertrophic (n = 10), restrictive (n = 6), arrhythmogenic right ventricular (n = 3), dilated (n = 1) cardiomyopathies, and aortic valve abnormality (n = 1). At initiation, median torasemide dosage was 0.21 mg/kg [IQR = 0.17-0.23] q24h. Clinical signs declined in most cats (20/21) during the first 2 weeks with no remarkable adverse events. Median survival time after torasemide prescription was 182 days [IQR = 46-330]. A contemporary control group including 54 cats with CHF, receiving furosemide as sole loop diuretic treatment was compared with the study group. Median (IQR) survival time of cats in the control group was not significatively different (p = 0.962) from that of the torasemide group, i.e., 148 days (9-364), although the torasemide group included significantly more cats with recurrent episodes of CHF (52%) that the control group (19%). CONCLUSIONS: This case series demonstrates that torasemide can be used in cats with spontaneous CHF. This therapeutic interest needs to be confirmed by prospective clinical trials.

Clinical, epidemiological and echocardiographic features and prognostic factors in cats with restrictive cardiomyopathy: A retrospective study of 92 cases (2001-2015).

BACKGROUND: Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a common primary cardiomyopathy of cats. However, little information is available regarding prognostic variables in large populations of cats with RCM. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the epidemiological, clinical, and echocardiographic features of cats with RCM and to document their survival times and risk factors for cardiac death (CD). ANIMALS: Ninety-two cats with RCM. METHODS: Retrospective study. Diagnosis of RCM was based on echocardiographic and Doppler criteria. Median survival time to CD and adjusted hazard ratios (HR) were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox models, respectively. RESULTS: The feline population (median age [interquartile range], 8.6 years [4.1-12.4]; body weight, 4.0 kg [3.3-4.7]) included 83 cats (90%) with the myocardial RCM form and 9 (10%) with the endomyocardial fibrosis RCM form. Most RCM cats (64/92, 70%) were symptomatic at the time of diagnosis, with dyspnea related to congestive heart failure in 57 of 64 cats (89%). The median survival time of the 69 cats with the myocardial RCM form and available follow-up was 667 days (range, 2-3710 days) considering CD. Independent of age, biatrial enlargement, and arrhythmias, increase of the left atrium (LA)-to-aorta (Ao) ratio (hazard ration [HR], 2.5 per 0.5-unit increase; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5-4.2; P < .001) and presence of severe LA enlargement (end-diastolic LA : Ao ≥2; HR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.3-8.7; P = .01) were significantly associated with shorter time to CD. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cardiac death is common in RCM cats, and LA enlargement seems independently associated with decreased survival time in these cats.

Specific features and survival of French bulldogs with congenital pulmonic stenosis: a prospective cohort study of 66 cases.

INTRODUCTION: The objectives of this study were to characterize the epidemiological, clinical, and echocardiographic features of French bulldogs (FBs) with congenital pulmonic stenosis and document their survival times and risk factors for cardiac death (CD). ANIMALS: This study included 66 FBs with congenital pulmonic stenosis. METHODS: Prospective cohort study including a survival analysis to assess time to CD. RESULTS: In most cases (53/66, 80%), at least two obstructive lesions were observed, most commonly valvular and supravalvular (42/66, 64%), with pulmonary trunk hypoplasia in 40/66 (61%) of cases. The median Doppler-derived peak trans-stenotic pressure gradient (ΔP) was very high: 170 mmHg (range = 34-291 mmHg), with ΔP ≥ 200 mmHg in 33% of FBs. Among the 51 FBs with an available follow-up and that did not undergo surgical valvuloplasty, 21/51 (41%) died, 67% (14/21) of deaths being CD. The median survival time from diagnosis to CD was 2.8 years (interquartile range = 0.8-4.6 years). Univariate Cox proportional hazard analyses revealed that age (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.3 per 1 year increase; p = 0.02), clinical signs at presentation (HR = 3.7; p = 0.03), ΔP (HR = 1.2 per 10 mmHg increase; p = 0.01), right ventricular dilation (HR = 5.0; p = 0.04), severe tricuspid regurgitation (HR = 7.6; p = 0.001), and right-sided congestive heart failure (HR = 4.8; p = 0.05) were associated with time to CD. After adjustment for age and ΔP, tricuspid regurgitation remained significantly associated with time to CD (HR = 5.1; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonic stenosis in FBs is commonly severe and complex, with at least 2 obstructive lesions in most cases, a high incidence of pulmonary trunk hypoplasia and CD, and strong association between prognosis and tricuspid regurgitation severity.

Quantitative assessment of systolic and diastolic right ventricular function by echocardiography and speckle-tracking imaging: a prospective study in 104 dogs.

Our aim was (1) to determine the within-day and between-day variability of several indices of systolic and diastolic right ventricular (RV) function by using conventional echocardiography and speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) (Study 1), (2) to quantify these variables in a large healthy canine population (n = 104) with Doppler-derived estimated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (SPAP) and left ventricular (LV) function, and (3) to establish the corresponding reference intervals (Study 2). For both studies, RV variables included tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), right fractional area change (RFAC), STE longitudinal systolic strain (StS) of the RV free wall (RVFW) and of the entire RV (i.e., global RV StS), STE longitudinal systolic RVFW strain rate (SRS), and the diastolic early:late strain rate ratio. All but one within- and between-day coefficients of variation (13/14) were ＜ 15%, the lowest being observed for TAPSE (3.6-9.8%), global RV StS (3.8-9.9%), and RVFW StS (3.7-7.3%). SPAP was weakly and negatively correlated with the TAPSE:body weight ratio (rs = -0.26, p = 0.01) and RVFW SRS (rs = -0.23, p ＜ 0.05). Reference intervals (lower and upper limits with 90% confidence intervals) were provided for all variables. STE provides a non-invasive evaluation of RV function that may be used for clinical investigations in canine cardiology.