Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heart ultrasound differences in French Bulldogs Pugs and Boston
By Brložnik, M et al.·Published in BMC veterinary research·2023·University of Ljubljana·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Echocardiographic parameters in French Bulldogs, Pugs and Boston Terriers with brachycephalic obstructive airways syndrome.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 57 brachycephalic dogs, including French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers, showed signs of breathing problems due to brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS). These dogs had noticeable differences in heart function compared to non-brachycephalic dogs, indicating that their heart was under more stress. Specifically, French Bulldogs with BOAS had smaller heart chambers and higher pressures in the right side of the heart. This suggests that the breathing difficulties in these breeds can lead to heart issues, but the heart changes are primarily due to their unique anatomy rather than just the severity of their symptoms.
People also search for: French Bulldog breathing problems · Pug heart issues · Boston Terrier BOAS treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In this prospective study, we hypothesized that dogs with signs of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) would show differences in left and right heart echocardiographic parameters compared with brachycephalic dogs without signs of BOAS and non-brachycephalic dogs. RESULTS: We included 57 brachycephalic (30 French Bulldogs 15 Pugs, and 12 Boston Terriers) and 10 non-brachycephalic control dogs. Brachycephalic dogs had significantly higher ratios of the left atrium to aorta and mitral early wave velocity to early diastolic septal annular velocity; smaller left ventricular (LV) diastolic internal diameter index; and lower tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion index, late diastolic annular velocity of the LV free wall, peak systolic septal annular velocity, late diastolic septal annular velocitiy, and right ventricular global strain than non-brachycephalic dogs. French Bulldogs with signs of BOAS had a smaller diameter of the left atrium index and right ventricular systolic area index; higher caudal vena cava at inspiration index; and lower caudal vena cava collapsibility index, late diastolic annular velocity of the LV free wall, and peak systolic annular velocity of the interventricular septum than non-brachycephalic dogs. CONCLUSIONS: The differences in echocardiographic parameters between brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic dogs, brachycephalic dogs with signs of BOAS and non-brachycephalic dogs, and brachycephalic dogs with and without signs of BOAS indicate higher right heart diastolic pressures affecting right heart function in brachycephalic dogs and those with signs of BOAS. Most changes in cardiac morphology and function can be attributed to anatomic changes in brachycephalic dogs alone and not to the symptomatic stage.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36793024/