Two-dimensional speckle tracking for quantification of left ventricular circumferential and radial wall motion in horses.
Abstract: The use of two-dimensional speckle tracking (2DST) for quantification of left ventricular (LV) function has recently been described in horses using long-axis images and short-axis images at chordal but not at papillary muscle level. Objective: To compare the feasibility and reliability of 2DST for quantification of circumferential and radial LV function in short-axis images at papillary muscle and chordal level. Methods: Repeated echocardiographic examinations were performed on 10 healthy trotter horses by 2 observers from a right parasternal short-axis view at papillary muscle and chordal level. Segmental and averaged peak values and timing of circumferential and radial strain and strain rate, radial displacement and rotation were measured in 6 LV wall segments in each imaging plane. Global peak values were calculated for circumferential strain and strain rate. The inter- and intraobserver within- and between-day variability was assessed by calculating coefficients of variation for repeated measurements. Results: 2DST analysis was feasible in each cardiac cycle, although tracking was often inadequate during early diastole. Measurements of averaged systolic circumferential and radial strain and strain rate and radial displacement as well as global circumferential strain and strain rate could be determined with low variability. Early and late diastolic strain rate and systolic rotation showed a moderate variability. Radial segmental measurements were more reliable than circumferential measurements. The interventricular septum showed a higher circumferential and lower radial strain compared with the LV free wall. Peak timing was earlier at papillary muscle compared with chordal level. Conclusions: 2DST measurements of global and regional circumferential and radial LV wall motion are feasible both at papillary muscle and chordal level. Conclusions: Several measurements had good reliability and should be used for evaluation of the technique in a clinical setting.
© 2012 EVJ Ltd.
Publication Date: 2012-02-20 PubMed ID: 22339797DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00549.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This study explores the reliability of two-dimensional speckle tracking (2DST) for measuring left ventricular function in horses. Results showed that various measurements were feasible and reliable, suggesting their potential use in clinical settings.
Understanding the Research
- The study set out to understand and compare the feasibility and reliability of a technology known as two-dimensional speckle tracking (2DST) in determining left ventricular function in horses.
- This method of measuring heart function has been used successfully with long-axis images and short-axis images at chordal level, but its potential at the papillary muscle level was less explored, which this study sought to rectify.
Methods
- Echocardiographic examinations were repeated on 10 healthy trotter horses by two observers. These exams were performed from a right parasternal short-axis perspective at the levels of the papillary muscle and the chordal muscle.
- The researchers measured and calculated a range of values relating to heart function, including circumferential and radial strain and strain rate, radial displacement and rotation. The focus was on the left ventricular wall.
- The inter- and intraobserver within- and between-day variability measures were assessed, in order to understand the reliability of the measurements being taken.
Results
- It was feasible to use 2DST to analyze each cardiac cycle, with some limitations in tracking capabilities during early diastole.
- Averaged measurements of systolic circumferential and radial strain and strain rate, along with radial displacement, and global circumferential strain and strain rate, were established with low variability, suggesting high reliability.
- The study did show some moderate variability in early and late diastolic strain rate and systolic rotation measurements, suggesting further investigation might be necessary to standardize these metric collection methods.
- Radial segmental measurements showed greater reliability than circumferential measurements.
- The study showed that the interventricular septum exhibited a higher circumferential and lower radial strain compared with the left ventricular free wall.
- Peak timing was observed to be earlier at the level of the papillary muscle than at the chordal level.
Conclusions
- The study found that the application of 2DST techniques to measure global and regional circumferential and radial left ventricular wall motion was feasible and offered reliable results.
- This suggests that these methods can be applied in a clinical setting, providing a viable and reliable way of measuring heart function in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Decloedt A, Verheyen T, Sys S, De Clercq D, van Loon G.
(2012).
Two-dimensional speckle tracking for quantification of left ventricular circumferential and radial wall motion in horses.
Equine Vet J, 45(1), 47-55.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.2012.00549.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Large Animal Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. annelies.decloedt@ugent.be
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Biomechanical Phenomena
- Echocardiography / methods
- Echocardiography / veterinary
- Female
- Heart Ventricles
- Horses / physiology
- Male
- Ventricular Function, Left / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Decloedt A, Ven S, De Clercq D, Rademakers F, van Loon G. Assessment of left ventricular function in horses with aortic regurgitation by 2D speckle tracking. BMC Vet Res 2020 Mar 20;16(1):93.
- Leroux AA, Moonen M, Farnir F, Deleuze S, Sandersen C, Amory H. Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in goats: repeatability, variability, and validation of the technique using an exercise test and an experimentally induced acute ischemic cardiomyopathy. BMC Vet Res 2020 Feb 14;16(1):56.
- Gehlen H, Bildheim LM. Speckle-tracking analysis of myocardial deformation in correlation to age in healthy horses. J Vet Sci 2018 Sep 30;19(5):676-682.
- Flethøj M, Schwarzwald CC, Haugaard MM, Carstensen H, Kanters JK, Olsen LH, Buhl R. Left Ventricular Function After Prolonged Exercise in Equine Endurance Athletes. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Jul;30(4):1260-9.
- Berli AS, Jud Schefer R, Steininger K, Schwarzwald CC. The use of strain, strain rate, and displacement by 2D speckle tracking for assessment of systolic left ventricular function in goats: applicability and influence of general anesthesia. Cardiovasc Ultrasound 2015 Mar 17;13:11.
- Kusunose K, Penn MS, Zhang Y, Cheng Y, Thomas JD, Marwick TH, Popović ZB. How similar are the mice to men? Between-species comparison of left ventricular mechanics using strain imaging. PLoS One 2012;7(6):e40061.
- Mandour AS, Samir H, Farag A, Hamabe L, Matsuura K, Yoshida T, Watanabe G, Tanaka R. Concomitant changes in regional myocardial deformation and intraventricular pressure gradients in normal and sedated goats: advanced multimodal echocardiographic study. BMC Vet Res 2025 Nov 15;21(1):667.
- Schneider MJ, Piotrowski IL, Junge HK, van Steenkiste G, Vernemmen I, van Loon G, Schwarzwald CC. Application of Acoustic Cardiography in Assessment of Cardiac Function in Horses with Atrial Fibrillation Before and After Cardioversion. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 7;15(13).
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