Audrey P. Nicolle

Chordae tendineae Rupture in Dogs with Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease: Prevalence, Survival, and Prognostic Factors (114 Cases, 2001–2006)

BACKGROUND Degenerative mitral valve disease (MVD) is the most common heart disease in small breed dogs, and chordae tendineae rupture (CTR) is a potential complication of this disease. The survival time and prognostic factors predictive of survival in dogs with CTR remain unknown. HYPOTHESIS The prevalence and prognosis of CTR in dogs with MVD increases and decreases, respectively, with heart failure class. ANIMALS This study used 706 dogs with MVD. METHODS The diagnosis of CTR was based on a flail mitral leaflet with the tip pointing into the left atrium during systole, which was confirmed in several 2-dimension imaging planes using the left and right parasternal 4-chamber views. RESULTS CTR was diagnosed in 114 of the 706 dogs with MVD (16.1%) and most of these (106/114, 93%) had severe mitral valve regurgitation as assessed by color Doppler mode. CTR prevalence increased with International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council (ISACHC) clinical class (i.e., 1.9, 20.8, 35.5, and 69.6% for ISACHC classes Ia, Ib, II, and III, respectively [P < .05]). Long-term follow-up was available for 57 treated dogs (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and diuretics) and 58% of these (33/57) survived > 1 year after initial CTR diagnosis (median survival time, 425 days). Clinical class, the presence of ascites or acute dyspnea at the time of diagnosis, heart rate, plasma urea concentration, and left atrial size were predictors of survival. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE CTR is associated with a higher overall survival time than previously supposed. Its prognosis mostly depends on a combination of clinical and biochemical factors.

Ultrasonographic Assessment of Regional Radial and Longitudinal Systolic Function in Healthy Awake Dogs

BACKGROUND Strain (St) and strain rate (SR) imaging are new ultrasound modalities based on tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) that allow quantitative assessment of segmental myocardial contraction or stretching and rate of deformation, respectively. HYPOTHESIS Regional peak systolic St and SR could allow repeatable and reproducible assessment of systolic function of the right (RVW) and left (LVFW) myocardial walls in dogs. ANIMALS Six healthy Beagle dogs were used to determine the repeatability and reproducibility of regional peak systolic St and SR in the RVW and LVFW (Study 1). These variables were also assessed in 30 healthy dogs of several breeds (Study 2). METHODS Longitudinal peak systolic St and SR were recorded in 2 segments (basal and apical) of the RVW and LVFW. Radial peak systolic St and SR of the LVFW were also assessed. RESULTS All within- and most (7/10) between-day coefficients of variation were <15%. Absolute values of the longitudinal deformation indices were significantly higher (P < .001) in the RVW (St = -39.5 +/- 5.5% and SR = -5.2 +/- 0.8 s(-1) at the base; St = -36.3 +/- 4.3% and SR = -4.7 +/- 1.1 s(-1) at the apex) than in the LVFW. Absolute values were also higher for the radial (St = 62.9 +/- 10.4% and SR = 5.8 +/- 1.1 s(-1), P < .001) than for the longitudinal LFVW motions. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE St and SR imaging is a repeatable and reproducible method for assessing systolic myocardial function. The combination of these indices with conventional echocardiographic variables may be useful for screening canine myocardial diseases.

EBSTEIN ANOMALY IN A MEERKAT (SURICATA SURICATTA)

Abstract An 8-yr-old male meerkat (Suricata suricatta) presented with sudden lethargy. A globular-shaped heart associated with pleural effusion on chest thoracic radiographs was consistent with congestive heart failure, and echocardiography was performed under general anesthesia. It revealed an Ebstein anomaly, with mild pericardial effusion and marked right heart enlargement. The animal was treated with imidapril chlorydrate. After 4 mo of treatment, thoracic radiographs still showed right-sided cardiomegaly; however, the animal appeared clinically normal.

Endocardiose mitrale de l'épagneul Cavalier King Charles en France: étude épidémiologique, clinique et écho-Doppler de 451 cas

A retrospective study was performed in the Cardiology Unit of Alfort in 451 Cavalier King Charles (CKC) spaniels. A left apical systolic murmur was detected in 183 of them (40.6 %). The prevalence of the murmur increased with age (18.8 % for CKC 11 years old). Mitral valve endocardiosis represented 93.3 % of the ultrasound anomalies. There was a positive correlation between age and several echo-Doppler parameters (P<0.01): atrium/aorta ratio, diastolic left ventricular diameter, thickness of the mitral valve leaflets, and mitral regurgitant mapping area. A positive correlation was also noted between the intensity of the murmur and these echo- Doppler parameters (P<0.0001). In conclusion, mitral valve endocardiosis is a frequent valvulopathy which occurs at an early age in CKC spaniels in France. Several clinical and echo-Doppler parameters have a predictive value for the severity of the disease.