title: Comparison of multi-detector row computed tomography with echocardiography for assessment of left ventricular function in healthy dogs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the use of retrospectively ECG-gated, contrast-enhanced, multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) for assessment of left ventricular function in dogs and to compare the results with those obtained by use of 2-D and M-mode echocardiographc techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  10 healthy Beagles.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dogs underwent MDCT (performed by use of a 64-detector row CT system) and echocardiography under general anesthesia. Left ventricular end-systolic volume (ESV), end-diastolic volume (EDV), and ejection fraction (EF) were determined in MDCT-generated multiplanar reformatted images by use of Simpson and biplane area-length calculation methods. Results were compared with left ventricular ESV, EDV, and EF determined in echocardiographc images by use of Teichholz and bullet method calculations. Results were evaluated via Deming regression analysis and Pearson correlation tests. Bland-Altman analysis was used to assess limits of agreement and systematic errors between the 2 methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean values for EDV and ESV determined by use of MDCT were highly correlated with those determined by use of echocardiography, regardless of the calculation methods compared (r = 0.91 to 0.96); volumes determined by use of MDCT appeared to be higher than those determined by use of echocardiography, although most differences were nonsignificant. Mean EF determined by use of MDCT with the Simpson calculation method was highly correlated with that determined by use of echocardiography with bullet method calculations (r = 0.90).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggested that assessment of left ventricular volume and function in dogs is feasible with MDCT. To estimate left ventricular EF with MDCT. use of the Simpson calculation method is advised.
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Christiane R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Henjes
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hungerbühler
authors.forename: Iwona B
authors.initials: IB
authors.lastname: Bojarski
authors.forename: Ingo
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Nolte
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Wefstaedt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000502:physiology*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D061330:Multidetector Computed Tomography / Q000379:methods* / Q000662:veterinary; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left