Right ventricular function and dyssynchrony measured by echocardiography in dogs with precapillary pulmonary hypertension.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Assessment of the right ventricular (RV) function by echocardiography is important in dogs with pulmonary hypertension (PH). Few reports are available on RV function and dyssynchrony in dogs, especially in the context of precapillary PH. ANIMALS: The study included 79 client-owned dogs: 25 dogs with precapillary PH and 54 control dogs. METHODS: Dogs with precapillary PH were prospectively enrolled between December 2013 and February 2017. The echocardiographic indices of RV function, including RV strain and the dyssynchrony index by speckle-tracking echocardiography, were measured. Multivariate analysis was used to determine independent predictors of the RV dyssynchrony index. RESULTS: Dogs with precapillary PH showed RV dilation, hypertrophy and right atrial dilation. Impaired echocardiographic indices of RV function, including RV strain, were observed. In addition, RV dyssynchrony occurred in dogs with precapillary PH. Multivariate analysis revealed that tricuspid regurgitation velocity and RV dilation were independent predictors of the RV dyssynchrony index. CONCLUSIONS: Echocardiographic RV function indices are impaired in dogs with precapillary PH. In addition, RV dilation and elevated systolic pulmonary arterial pressure estimated by echocardiography are associated with RV dyssynchrony.