Doppler-derived deformation imaging in unsedated healthy adult dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate feasibility, repeatability and reproducibility (R&R) of Doppler-derived deformation imaging (DI) in healthy adult dogs.


METHODS
Forty-nine dogs underwent physical examination, ECG, blood pressure measurement and echocardiography. Doppler-derived DI parameters obtained from six selected Regions of Interest (ROI) within the left ventricle (LV) were: strain (S), systolic strain rate (SSR), strain rate E wave (SRE), and strain rate A wave (SRA). The averages of the six ROIs were calculated and labeled avS, avSSR, avSRE, and avSRA. Randomly selected dogs underwent two echocardiographic studies to evaluate intraoperator (n=14) and interoperator (n=17) variability.


RESULTS
DI data were obtained in 87.2% of dogs and 77.2% of ROIs. Compared to controls, avSSR was significantly reduced in Doberman Pinchers (DP) and it was increased in dogs < 30 kg, compared to dogs > 30 kg. The intraoperator Coefficient of Variability (CV) for some ROIs was greater than 15% but for averaged measurements it was < or = 5.0%. Interoperator CV varied widely but were all < 15% for avSSR, avS, and avSRA.


CONCLUSIONS
The CV for Doppler-derived DI varied widely. Averaging values from multiple ROIs improved R&R. DI may help elucidate differences in LV mechanics between canine breeds.
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, 272 Magruder Hall, Corvallis, OR, USA. mmargioc@vet.k-state.edu
Marco L
ML
Margiocco
Barret J
BJ
Bulmer
D David
DD
Sisson
D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D013045:Species Specificity; D013599:Systole / Q000502:physiology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*