Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How can contrast echocardiography help diagnose heart issues in
By Kvart, C et al.·Published in Equine veterinary journal·1985·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Diagnostic value of contrast echocardiography in the horse.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
Researchers studied a method called contrast echocardiography, which uses ultrasound to look at the heart's movements in horses. They mixed carbon dioxide with blood to create a clearer image and tested this on 15 healthy horses and three with known heart problems. This technique helped confirm diagnoses and distinguish between two specific heart issues: a congenital septal defect (a hole in the heart) and mitral regurgitation (a leaky heart valve). The procedure was found to be safe and easy to do, with no side effects from the carbon dioxide used. Overall, the method worked well for diagnosing heart conditions in horses.
Abstract
M-mode echocardiography is a safe and practical means of using ultrasound to evaluate the dynamic movements of cardiac structures. The technique can be refined by using a simple contrast medium in the form of carbon dioxide mixed with heparinised blood to provide a strong echogenic result. This technique was employed in a series of 15 normal conscious standing horses and in three animals with specific cardiac defects. In the clinical cases it was possible to confirm the diagnosis and differentiate between a congenital septal defect and mitral regurgitation. The method was found to be safe and relatively simple to perform using percutaneous insertion of catheters. The intracardiac catheterisation was trouble free and no clinical side effects to direct injection of the carbon dioxide contrast medium into the heart were demonstrated.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4054085/