Comparison of 3 ultrasound methods for quantifying left ventricular systolic function: correlation with disease severity and prognostic value in dogs with mitral valve disease.
BACKGROUND
End-systolic volume index (ESVI) is a marker of systolic function, which can be assessed by the geometric (GM, based on Teichholz formula) or 2 planimetric methods (PM, Simpson's derived and length area methods).


OBJECTIVE
Systolic dysfunction (SyD) may be observed in dogs with mitral valve disease (MVD) and is better assessed by PM than GM, which does not take into account the longitudinal left ventricular systolic shortening.


METHODS
Six healthy dogs were used to determine the variability of the tested variables (Study 1). These variables were then prospectively assessed (Study 2) in 101 small breed dogs: 77 dogs with MVD and 24 healthy controls (CD).


METHODS
ESVI was measured by GM and PM in awake dogs.


RESULTS
All within- and between-day coefficients of variation were <11% (Study 1). For Study 2, a nonlinear overestimation of ESVI was observed by GM compared with PM. PM-derived ESVI was significantly increased in ISACHC class 3 dogs compared with ISACHC class 1 dogs and exerted a significant influence on cardiac events at 5 months in dogs with MVD from ISACHC classes 2 and 3 (P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
ESVI can be calculated by GM and PM with good repeatability and reproducibility. However, GM overestimates ESVI in a nonlinear way. Therefore, PM-derived ESVI should be preferred for the detection of SyD that is present at the late stages of the disease.
Serres
F
F
Unité de Cardiologie d'Alfort, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, Maisons-Alfort cedex, France.
Chetboul
V
V
Tissier
R
R
Poujol
L
L
Gouni
V
V
Carlos Sampedrano
C
C
Pouchelon
J-L
JL
D000818:Animals; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004285:Dogs; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D008297:Male; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000662:veterinary*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*