Quantitative assessment of velocities of the annulus of the left atrioventricular valve and left ventricular free wall in healthy cats by use of two-dimensional color tissue Doppler imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze velocities of the annulus of the left atrioventricular valve and left ventricular free wall (LVFW) in a large population of healthy cats by use of 2-dimensional color tissue Doppler imaging (TDI).


METHODS
100 healthy cats (0.3 to 12.0 years old; weighing 1.0 to 8.0 kg) of 6 breeds.


METHODS
Radial myocardial velocities were recorded in an endocardial and epicardial segment, and longitudinal velocities were recorded in 2 LVFW segments (basal and apical) and in the annulus of the left atrioventricular valve.


RESULTS
LVFW velocities were significantly higher in the endocardial than epicardial layers and significantly higher in the basal than apical segments. For systole, early diastole, and late diastole, mean +/- SD radial myocardial velocity gradient (MVG), which was defined as the difference between endocardial and epicardial velocities, was 2.2 +/- 0.7, 3.3 +/- 1.3, and 1.8 +/- 0.7 cm/s, respectively, and longitudinal MVG, which was defined as the difference between basal and apical velocities, was 2.7 +/- 0.8, 3.1 +/- 1.4, and 2.1 +/- 0.9 cm/s, respectively. A breed effect was documented for several TDI variables; therefore, reference intervals for the TDI variables were determined for the 2 predominant breeds represented (Maine Coon and domestic shorthair cats).


CONCLUSIONS
LVFW velocities in healthy cats decrease from the endocardium to the epicardium and from the base to apex, thus defining radial and longitudinal MVG. These indices could complement conventional analysis of left ventricular function and contribute to the early accurate detection of cardiomyopathy in cats.
Chetboul
Valerie
V
Cardiology Unit of Alfort, National Veterinary School of Alfort, 7 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, 94704 Maisons-Alfort cedex, France.
Sampedrano
Carolina Carlos
CC
Tissier
Renaud
R
Gouni
Vassiliki
V
Saponaro
Vittorio
V
Nicolle
Audrey P
AP
Pouchelon
Jean-Louis
JL
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D002415:Cats / Q000502:physiology*; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006262:Health; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*