title: Assessment of mitral valve morphology using three-dimensional echocardiography. Feasibility and reference values.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the feasibility of real time transthoracic three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) for evaluation of normal canine mitral valves (MVs), and to provide reference values for this technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-three cardiologically healthy, not sedated dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Transthoracic RT3DE mitral datasets were acquired during two consecutive 6-month periods. The datasets were analyzed using commercially available software. An MV model was drawn using a semiautomated procedure and MV variables were obtained and calculated. The ratio between annulus height and commissural diameter was used as an index of the annulus' saddle-shaped non-planarity. After evaluation of associations between measured variables and body size, the datasets were used to generate reference intervals. Coefficients of variation (CVs), variance components, and repeatability coefficients were calculated for the evaluation of intra-observer, inter-observer, and day-to-day variability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Datasets could be analyzed in 34 of 43 (79%) dogs. 68 percent of datasets obtained during the first 6-month period could be analyzed and 90% obtained during the second period could be analyzed. An allometric relationship was identified for most MV variables. The MV annulus appeared elliptical and saddle-shaped. Inter- and intra-observer CVs were less than 20%. Coefficient of variation greater than 20% was calculated for the inter-day variation for some variables. Operator and observer were primarily responsible for the variation of most of the variables.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Evaluation of canine mitral valves by transthoracic RT3DE is feasible. Canine MVs of healthy dogs analyzed using RT3DE are elliptical and saddle-shaped. Reference intervals for the measured MV variables are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA. Electronic address: gmencio@gmail.com.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Menciotti
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Borgarelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aherne
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Häggström
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Science, Uppsala, Sweden.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ljungvall
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Lahmers
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Abbott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D019560:Echocardiography, Three-Dimensional / Q000662:veterinary*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012016:Reference Values
keywords: Canine; Diagnostic; Heart; Imaging