Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Echocardiogram ratio helps classify pulmonary hypertension in dogs
By Corda, Andrea et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2024·Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Italy·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The echocardiographic pulmonary to left atrial ratio: A noninvasive variable for the hemodynamic classification of pulmonary hypertension in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 46 dogs suspected to have pulmonary hypertension (PH) underwent echocardiograms to measure a specific ratio called the echocardiographic pulmonary to left atrial ratio (ePLAR). This measurement helps classify the type of PH the dog may have, which is important for treatment decisions. The study found that a lower ePLAR value indicated isolated PH, while higher values were associated with more severe forms of the condition. This noninvasive test could help veterinarians better manage dogs with PH by providing valuable information without the need for more invasive procedures.
People also search for: dog pulmonary hypertension symptoms · echocardiogram for dogs · dog heart disease treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Hemodynamic classification of pulmonary hypertension (PH) has important clinical implications. However, only a few echocardiographic variables have been used to hemodynamically classify PH in dogs. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the echocardiographic pulmonary to left atrial ratio index (ePLAR) in dogs with PH. ANIMALS: Forty-six dogs with intermediate to high probability of PH. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. Variables were compared between dogs with precapillary PH [PrePH (n = 24)] vs postcapillary PH [PostPH (n = 22)], and with combined PH [CombPH (n = 14)] vs isolated PH [IsoPH (n = 8)] using the t-, Mann-Whitney, Pearson's Chi, or Fisher's exact test. The receiver operating characteristic curve and Youden index were used to identify the optimal ePLAR cutoff value to differentiate among the groups, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to determine the reliability of measurements. RESULTS: The mean (SD) ePLAR of the PrePH was higher than that of the PostPH group [0.36 (0.13) vs 0.26 (0.09), respectively; P = .005]. The median (interquartile range) ePLAR of the CombPH was higher than that of the IsoPH subgroup [0.29 (0.24-0.38), vs 0.20 (0.16-0.23), respectively; P = .001]. The best cutoff value of ePLAR for identifying IsoPH was <0.245 [AUC at cutoff point = 0.86; sensitivity (95% confidence interval [CI]) = 0.71 (0.47-0.95); specificity (95% CI) = 1 (0.76-1)]. The ICC analysis indicated a high degree of reliability. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: ePLAR can be considered a valid noninvasive variable to hemodynamically classify PH in dogs with an intermediate to high probability of PH. Assessment of ePLAR can be useful in the therapeutic management of PH in dogs.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38715386/