Reference Values and Repeatability of B-Mode and M-Mode Echocardiographic Parameters in Healthy Donkey (Equus asinus)-The Guide to Assess Healthy Heart.

This research article presents the findings of an echocardiographic study on 44 healthy donkeys in Egypt. The goal of the study was to provide a comprehensive guide for assessing the heart health of donkeys using B-mode and M-mode echocardiography, a type of ultrasound test that provides a moving picture of the heart.

Methodology

• The study was performed on a sample of 44 clinically healthy donkeys, aged 2-25 years old, and weighed between 150-350 kg. This sample included an equal number of males and females.
• None of the donkeys showed any clinical or echocardiographic evidence of cardiovascular diseases.
• The study employed B-mode and 2-dimensional guided M-mode echocardiography, which provide detailed images and measurements of the heart.
• A variety of echocardiographic measurements were taken, including interventricular septum thickness (during systole and diastole), left ventricular internal diameter (during systole and diastole), and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (during systole and diastole).
• Additionally, researchers measured several indices of cardiac function, like end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening.

Findings

• The study found that for healthy donkeys, the interventricular septum thickness and the left ventricular posterior free wall were thicker during the heart’s contraction (systole) than during relaxation (diastole).
• On the other hand, the left ventricular dimension was found to be greater during diastole compared to systole.
• The recorded data of cardiac function indices, including end-diastolic volume, end-systolic volume, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening obtained from B-mode echocardiography were found to be similar to those obtained by guided M-mode echocardiography.

Significance

• The measurements and findings from this study provide a new echocardiographic reference range for donkeys. This is essential for evaluating the heart health of a donkey and identifying any abnormalities or cardiac disorders.
• This study is reportedly the first of its kind from Egypt that provides such echocardiographic reference ranges for donkeys based on probability theory and statistics, introducing a new standard for future donkey heart health research and potentially contributing to veterinary medicine development.