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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Vet Intern Med / Novel Intracardiac Ultrasound Images Developed on a Cardiac ...
Journal of veterinary internal medicine2025; 39(3); e70087; doi: 10.1111/jvim.70087

Novel Intracardiac Ultrasound Images Developed on a Cardiac Ultrasound Simulator and Validated in Live Horses.

Abstract: Ultrasonographic guidance of catheter-based interventions in horses is based primarily on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) has the potential to provide detailed imaging of specific cardiac regions. Insight and training in echocardiographic guidance can be acquired using an echocardiography simulator. Objective: Use an echocardiography simulator for horses to determine specific ICE views for catheter-based interventions and validate these in live horses. Methods: Six adult healthy experimental horses. Methods: Observational study. An echocardiographic phantom based on a three-dimensional computer model of the equine heart was used. This phantom was positioned in a water tank, allowing simultaneous TTE and ICE catheter introduction. Novel ICE images from within the thoracic inlet and right atrium were determined on the ultrasound simulator, with TTE as back-up modality to determine ICE catheter position in the simulator if necessary. Images were validated in six horses, with adaptations to catheter manipulations where needed. Results: Novel ICE images developed on the ultrasound simulator could be replicated in live horses, with no changes in catheter manipulations. These views allowed visualization of the tributaries of the cranial vena cava, both atria, pulmonary veins, aorta, and pulmonary artery. Conclusions: The ultrasound simulator was useful in developing additional ICE images in order to understand echocardiographic anatomy. This simulator creates possibilities for ICE diagnosis of specific cardiac conditions and further development of ICE-guided catheter-based interventions in horses. The ultrasound simulator can be helpful for providing echocardiographic training and reduction of experimental animal use.
© 2025 The Author(s). 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: 2025-04-24 PubMed ID: 40269662PubMed Central: PMC12018768DOI: 10.1111/jvim.70087Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The researchers used an echocardiography simulator to develop new intracardiac ultrasound views for horses, specifically aiming at aiding catheter-based heart interventions. These novel views were then successfully validated in live horses.

Objective

  • The objective of the study was to utilize an echocardiography simulator to determine certain intracardiac echocardiography views that could enhance the effectiveness of catheter-based interventions in horses. These identified views were then tested in live horses to ascertain their reliability.

Methods

  • An echocardiographic phantom derived from a 3D computer model of a horse’s heart was used in this study. This digital model was placed in a water tank, which enabled investigators to conduct TTE (transthoracic echocardiography) and ICE (Intracardiac Echocardiography) procedures simultaneously.
  • New intracardiac ultrasound images were obtained via the simulator from within the thoracic inlet and right atrium of the modeled heart. TTE was used as a guide to determine the position of the ICE catheter within the simulator when necessary.
  • After determining the new views on the simulator, the researchers validated them in a sample of six live, healthy horses. They made adaptations to catheter manipulations during this process as required.

Results

  • The study results demonstrated that the new intracardiac ultrasound views developed on the ultrasound simulator could be successfully replicated in live horses, without necessitating changes in catheter manipulations.
  • These novel views allowed clear visualization of various cardiac regions, such as the tributaries of the cranial vena cava, both atria, pulmonary veins, aorta, and pulmonary artery.

Conclusions

  • The ultrasound simulator proved effective in creating additional images for intracardiac echocardiography, enhancing understanding of the echocardiographic anatomy.
  • By using this simulator, there is potential for diagnosing specific cardiac conditions more accurately and for further advancements in ICE-guided catheter-based maneuvers in horses.
  • The benefits of the simulator also extend to training in echocardiography and reducing the need for using live animals experimentally.

Cite This Article

APA
Vernemmen I, Demeyere M, Van Steenkiste G, Buschmann E, Decloedt A, van Loon G. (2025). Novel Intracardiac Ultrasound Images Developed on a Cardiac Ultrasound Simulator and Validated in Live Horses. J Vet Intern Med, 39(3), e70087. https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.70087

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 1939-1676
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 39
Issue: 3
Pages: e70087
PII: e70087

Researcher Affiliations

Vernemmen, Ingrid
  • Equine Cardioteam Ghent, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Demeyere, Marie
  • Equine Cardioteam Ghent, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Van Steenkiste, Glenn
  • Equine Cardioteam Ghent, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Buschmann, Eva
  • Equine Cardioteam Ghent, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
Decloedt, Annelies
  • Equine Cardioteam Ghent, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
van Loon, Gunther
  • Equine Cardioteam Ghent, Department of Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horses / anatomy & histology
  • Echocardiography / veterinary
  • Echocardiography / methods
  • Heart / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart / anatomy & histology
  • Phantoms, Imaging / veterinary
  • Computer Simulation
  • Male

Grant Funding

  • 1S71521N / Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
  • 1SA2223N / Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
  • 1SE9122N / Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek
  • 01B05818 / Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds UGent

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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