Right ventricular size and function evaluated by various echocardiographic indices in dogs with pulmonary hypertension

Abstract

Background: Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography and 2-dimensional (2D) strain measurements of the right ventricle (RV) are important indices in humans with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and need further evaluation in dogs with PH. Objectives: To evaluate various RV size and function indices in dogs with PH and to examine differences between pre- and postcapillary PH. Animals: A total of 311 client-owned dogs: 100 dogs with PH, 31 with postcapillary and 69 with precapillary PH, and 211 healthy control dogs. Methods: Retro- and prospective, multicenter study. Size and function of the RV was determined using several indices, derived using dedicated RV software, including 3D RV end-diastolic volume (EDVn), end-systolic volume (ESVn), ejection fraction, 2D global and free wall RV longitudinal strain (RVLS), end-diastolic area, end-systolic area, fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and tissue Doppler imaging-derived systolic myocardial velocity of the lateral tricuspid annulus (S′n). Results: The EDVn (1.8 vs 2.5 mL/kg0.942, P