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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular size and sy...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2020; 35(1); 504-520; doi: 10.1111/jvim.15968

Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular size and systolic function in Warmblood horses using linear measurements, area-based indices, and volume estimates: A retrospective database analysis.

Abstract: Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular (LV) size and function using area-based indices and volumetric estimates is not well established in horses. Objective: To report reference intervals and measurement variability for uni-, 2-, and 3-dimensional echocardiographic indices of LV size and systolic function in Warmblood horses and to provide proof of concept for allometric scaling of variables to body weight. Unidimensional indices were to be compared to area-based indices and LV volume estimates to establish their clinical use. Methods: Thirty healthy Warmblood horses and 70 Warmblood horses with a primary diagnosis of mitral regurgitation or aortic regurgitation. Methods: Echocardiographic indices of LV size and systolic function were measured using an existing echocardiography database. Weight-related variables were scaled to body weight (BWT). Reference intervals and measurement variability were calculated, the influence of valvular regurgitation on LV size and function was investigated and agreement between different variables for detection of reduced, normal, and increased LV size and systolic function was assessed. Results: Reference values for healthy Warmblood horses were reported. Measurement variability was sufficiently low for clinical use of all variables. Allometric scaling was effective to correct diastolic LV dimensions and cardiac output for differences in BWT. Various echocardiographic indices resulted in different conclusions regarding identification of LV enlargement and systolic dysfunction in healthy horses and horses with valvular regurgitation. Conclusions: Echocardiographic assessment of LV size and systolic function should include joint assessment of multiple uni- and multidimensional indices. Area-based or volumetric indices that reflect LV long-axis motion should be included.
© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
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Publication Date: 2020-11-28 PubMed ID: 33247461PubMed Central: PMC7848374DOI: 10.1111/jvim.15968Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research article presents a retrospective database analysis that explores the echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular (LV) size and function in warmblood horses utilizing various measurement methods. The study provides key indicators such as the LV size and systolic function to establish applicable reference intervals and identify the influence of various heart conditions on these parameters.

Methodology

  • The study included a sample of 30 healthy Warmblood horses and 70 Warmblood horses diagnosed primarily with mitral regurgitation or aortic regurgitation.
  • Echocardiographic indicators of LV size and systolic function were captured using an existing echocardiography database.
  • These variables, dependent on the horse’s body weight, were adjusted or scaled to the body weight (BWT), providing a standardized comparison.
  • The reference intervals and measurement variability were calculated for comparative purposes.
  • The study also evaluated the effect of valvular regurgitation on LV size and function.
  • The level of agreement between different variables for identifying reduced, normal, and increased LV size and systolic function was examined.

Results

  • Reference values for the healthy Warmblood horses were generated, adding to the vital statistical resources.
  • The variability in measurement for the variables investigated was sufficiently low, making them suitable for clinical use.
  • Allometric scaling was proved effective in normalizing diastolic LV dimensions and cardiac output for differences in BWT.
  • Differing echocardiographic indices led to varied conclusions about the identification of LV enlargement and systolic dysfunction in healthy horses and those with valvular regurgitation.

Conclusions

  • The findings suggest that echocardiographic evaluation of LV size and systolic function should incorporate both uni- and multidimensional indices in unison.
  • The study recommends the inclusion of area-based or volumetric indices able to characterize LV long-axis motion for accurate LV evaluation.

This work offers significant insights into how veterinarians or researchers can adopt multiple measurement indices in echocardiographic assessments for a more comprehensive understanding of the cardiovascular health of horses.

Cite This Article

APA
Berthoud D, Schwarzwald CC. (2020). Echocardiographic assessment of left ventricular size and systolic function in Warmblood horses using linear measurements, area-based indices, and volume estimates: A retrospective database analysis. J Vet Intern Med, 35(1), 504-520. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15968

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 35
Issue: 1
Pages: 504-520

Researcher Affiliations

Berthoud, Djamila
  • Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Schwarzwald, Colin C
  • Equine Department, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Diastole
  • Echocardiography / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases
  • Horses
  • Mitral Valve Insufficiency / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Systole

Conflict of Interest Statement

Colin Schwarzwald serves as Associate Editor for the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. He was not involved in review of this manuscript.

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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Deacon LJ, Navas de Solis C, Richardson DW, Polkes A, Reef VB. Closure of an Aortocardiac Fistula in a Horse.. CASE (Phila) 2022 Feb;6(1):43-48.
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  2. Hövener J, Pokar J, Merle R, Gehlen H. Association between Cardiac Auscultation and Echocardiographic Findings in Warmblood Horses.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Dec 5;11(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani11123463pubmed: 34944240google scholar: lookup
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