title: Radiographic evaluation of caudal vena cava size in dogs.
abstract: Dilation of the caudal vena cava (CVC) on lateral thoracic radiographs is often interpreted as suggestive of right-sided congestive heart failure. To quantitate the clinical utility of evaluating CVC size as an indicator of right-sided heart disease, we compared the ratio of the diameter of the CVC as measured on a left lateral thoracic radiograph to the descending aorta (Ao), length of the thoracic vertebra above the tracheal bifurcation (VL), and width of the right fourth rib (R4) in 35 dogs with right heart disease and 35 control dogs. Each CVC ratio (CVC/Ao, CVC/VL, CVC/R4) was statistically larger in dogs with right heart disease. Response operating characteristic curves and likelihood ratios were used to determine ratios helpful in identifying dogs with right heart disease. A CVC/Ao > 1.50, CVC/VL > 1.30, or CVC/R4 > 3.50 are strongly suggestive of a right-sided heart abnormality in a patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Ohio State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus 43210-1089, USA.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Lehmkuhl
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bonagura
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Biller
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Hartman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001201:Ascites / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D001699:Biometry; D004108:Dilatation, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D005665:Furosemide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006976:Hypertension, Pulmonary / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D007601:Jugular Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D016013:Likelihood Functions; D010490:Pericardial Effusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D011666:Pulmonary Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D012372:ROC Curve; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012272:Ribs / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013904:Thoracic Vertebrae / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014132:Trachea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014262:Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right; D017725:Ventricular Pressure
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics; D005665:Furosemide