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Equine veterinary journal1992; 24(3); 226-235; doi: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1992.tb02820.x

Standardised imaging technique for guided M-mode and Doppler echocardiography in the horse.

Abstract: Eighteen echocardiographic images useful for diagnostic imaging, M-mode echocardiography, and Doppler echocardiography of the equine heart were standardised by relating the position of the axial beam to various intracardiac landmarks. The transducer orientation required for each image was recorded in 14 adult horses by describing the degree of sector rotation and the orientation of the axial beam relative to the thorax. Repeatable images could be obtained within narrow limits of angulation and rotation for 14 of the 18 standardised images evaluated. Twenty-seven National Hunt horses were subsequently examined using this standardised technique. Selected cardiac dimensions were measured from two-dimensional and guided M-mode studies. Satisfactory results were achieved in 26 of the 27 horses. There was no linear correlation between any of the measured cardiac values and bodyweight. There was no significant difference between measurements taken from the left and the right hemithorax. Six horses were imaged on three consecutive days to assess the repeatability of the measurements. No significant difference was found between measurements obtained on different days. This study demonstrates a method for standardised echocardiographic evaluation of the equine heart that is repeatable, valuable for teaching techniques of equine echocardiography, applicable for diagnostic imaging and quantification of cardiac size, and useful for the evaluation of blood-flow patterns by Doppler ultrasound.
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Publication Date: 1992-05-01 PubMed ID: 1606937DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1992.tb02820.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research sought to establish a standardized method for carrying out M-mode and Doppler echocardiography – imaging techniques used for assessing the heart – in horses. The study confirmed that this standardized approach provides reliable and repeatable images, which can be used for educational purposes, diagnosing health issues, measuring heart size, and analysing blood-flow patterns.

Research Procedure

  • The research revolved around the standardization of 18 echocardiographic images suitable for diagnostic imaging, M-mode echocardiography, and Doppler echocardiography of equine hearts.
  • To do this, the axial beam’s position was related to various intracardiac landmarks in each image. The orientation of the transducer, an instrument that converts input signals into sound waves, was also recorded in 14 adult horses.
  • The researchers achieved constant images within a minimal range of angulation and rotation for 14 of the 18 standardized images evaluated.

Validation

  • The standardized technique was later put to test by examining 27 horses participating in National Hunt racing.
  • Cardiac dimensions were measured using two-dimensional and guided M-mode studies.
  • Of the twenty-seven horses, twenty-six provided satisfactory results, indicating that the technique was primarily successful.
  • Across these tests, there was no linear correlation observed between any of the measured cardiac values and the body weight of the horses.
  • The measurements from the left and right hemithorax (the half of the chest that contains one of the lungs and its surrounding tissues) showed no significant difference.

Repeatability Checks

  • To ascertain if the results were repeatable, six of the horses were examined over three consecutive days.
  • The results showed that there was no significant difference between measurements taken on different days, indicating that the technique is repeatable and reliable.

Conclusion

  • The research demonstrated a repeatable method for standardizing echocardiographic evaluations of equine hearts.
  • These effective techniques are suitable for educational use, diagnostic imaging, cardiac size quantification, and useful in analyzing blood-flow patterns using Doppler ultrasound.

Cite This Article

APA
Long KJ, Bonagura JD, Darke PG. (1992). Standardised imaging technique for guided M-mode and Doppler echocardiography in the horse. Equine Vet J, 24(3), 226-235. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1992.tb02820.x

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 0425-1644
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 24
Issue: 3
Pages: 226-235

Researcher Affiliations

Long, K J
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, University of Edinburgh, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Roslin, Midlothian, UK.
Bonagura, J D
    Darke, P G

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Echocardiography / veterinary
      • Echocardiography, Doppler / veterinary
      • Female
      • Horses / anatomy & histology
      • Male
      • Reproducibility of Results

      Citations

      This article has been cited 19 times.
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