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Simple Summary: This review article focuses on canine M-mode (motion mode), particularly for assessing the left ventricle measurements in several dog breeds. It traces the evolution of echocardiography techniques, highlighting A-mode, B-mode, and M-mode for accurate unidimensional cardiac structure records. This article emphasizes M-mode's significance in diagnosing conditions like MMVD, where identifying cardiac enlargement requires measuring left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter corrected with body weight (LVIDdN). Also, M-mode's role in DCM diagnosis is explained, noting criteria such as left ventricular dilatation. This review compiles data from various scientific sources to establish a methodology, presenting a detailed table of M-mode measurements for different breeds, ages, and sexes. In essence, our review underscores M-mode echocardiography's crucial role in diagnosing and managing cardiac diseases in dogs. It highlights the significance of breed-specific reference values and offers a comprehensive summary of such measurements for diverse dog breeds, benefiting both clinicians and researchers. This review article focuses on the use of canine M-mode in veterinary medicine, specifically in assessing the left ventricle measurements in several breeds. It traces the historical development of echocardiography techniques, including A-mode, B-mode, and motion mode (M-mode), which provide accurate unidimensional records of cardiac structures. This article highlights the significance of M-mode measurements in diagnosing stage B2 of MMVD, where left ventricular end-diastolic internal diameter corrected with body weight (LVIDdN) is essential for identifying cardiac enlargement. It also explains the role of M-mode in diagnosing DCM, outlining criteria such as left ventricular dilatation. The authors emphasize the importance of breed-specific reference values for echocardiographic measurements due to variations in somatotype among dogs. This review provides a comprehensive table summarizing M-mode measurements of the left ventricle for 44 different dog breeds, including interventricular septum thickness, left ventricular internal diameter, and left ventricular posterior wall thickness during systole and diastole. This review's methodology involves compiling data from various scientific literature sources, providing an extensive tabular representation of M-mode measurements for different breeds, ages, and sexes. Overall, this review highlights the critical role of M-mode echocardiography in diagnosing and managing cardiac diseases in dogs, underscores the importance of breed-specific reference values, and presents a comprehensive summary of M-mode measurements for various dog breeds, aiding both clinicians and researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Veterinaria Brasilica is the property of Acta Veterinaria Brasilica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACT The cutia (Dasyprocta agouti) and capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris ) are hystricomorphic rodents of the Brazilian fauna. The wild animal anatomy is essential to the clinic and surgery practices and conservation programs. This work aimed to evaluate the heart quantitative morphology of the cutia and the capybara. For this, three hearts of cutia and three of capybaras were used from the collection of the Anatomy Sector of Domestic and Wild Animals of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science of the University of São Paulo. The hearts were weighted and measured with a pachymeter. The left ventricle volume was estimated through the Cavalieri method. The hearts’ mean weight was 16.76g (cutias) and 104.2g (capybaras). The mean values for the axis, width and base dimensions were of the cutia 4.3cm, 3.3cm and 3.3cm and for the capybara were 7.6cm, 6.0cm and 6.1cm, respectively. The mean volume of the left ventricle of the cutia and the capybara was 5.03cm3 and 54.55cm3, respectively. The quantitative results of the hearts were compatible with the average body weight of the rodents. Thus, these numerical data can be applied to veterinary cardiology.

A 5-year-old female mongrel dog was presented due to the complaint of dyspnoea and ascites. Diagnostic work-ups consisting of thoracic and abdominal radiography, abdominocentesis and fluid analysis, haematology, serum biochemistry, heartworm antigen test, electrocardiography, and echocardiography revealed right-sided congestive heart failure due to caval syndrome, atrial tachycardia, and pulmonary hypertension. After a few days of stabilization, jugular catheterization was performed under general anaesthesia and seven heartworms were isolated. The dog also received heartworm treatment in accordance to the guidelines by American Heartworm Society and other medications to control the right-sided heart failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A five-month-old British shorthair kitten previously diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and feline infectious peritonitis was presented for cardiology examination. The findings of right cardiomegaly on chest radiography and electrocardiogram did not support a diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. On echocardiogram, muscular bands dividing the right ventricular chamber into two sub-chambers, narrowing of the pulmonary valve annulus, and a left-to-right shunt through a membranous ventricular septal defect were seen. Therefore, a diagnosis of double-chambered right ventricle, membranous ventricular septal defect, and pulmonic stenosis was made. Despite medications, the kitten eventually developed Eisenmenger syndrome and hind-limb paralysis, and was euthanized. Post-mortem examination for the heart and liver confirmed the above diagnoses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reduction of myocardial commitment is a frequent finding in cases of sepsis or septic shock, and piometra is one of the main causes of sepsis in dogs. In the present study, the case of sepsis secondary to piometra is reported leading to myocardial dysfunction in a canine, female, of the 10-year-old White West Highland Terrier with a history of prostration and hyporexia. On physical examination, the presence of purulent vulvar secretion, bulging abdomen and taut palpation was observed. Complementary tests were performed, including blood count, biochemistry and imaging tests. It was observed through ultrasound examination the presence of a large amount of fluid with cellularity in horns and uterine body, compatible with piometra. Alterations compatible with sepsis were observed during the care and stabilization of the animal. On echocardiographic examination, an increase in systolic and diastolic diameters of the left ventricle was observed with decreased shortening and ejection fraction, compatible with systolic dysfunction of the left ventricle. The patient received medical discharge after surgical correction and stabilization of clinical parameters, and died seven days later. It is suggested that the cause of death was systolic dysfunction caused by sepsis. It is concluded that myocardial dysfunction is a prognostic determinant factor in cases of sepsis, emphasizing the importance of its diagnosis and early treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: To describe problems noted during central venous jugular catheter (CVJC) placement, conditions associated with unsuccessful catheterization, and CVJC maintenance complications. Design: Prospective observational study from September 2014 to September 2015. Setting: University veterinary teaching hospital. Animals: Twenty‐seven dogs and 20 cats hospitalized in a veterinary ICU. Patients were excluded if previously hospitalized with a CVJC or lacked sufficient data. Interventions: None. Measurements and Main Results: Ninety‐one percent of indwelling CVJCs were placed successfully (43/47, 95% CI: 80%, 98%). Procedural‐related difficulties that resulted in the inability to place a CVJC totaled 18/63 (28.6%, 95% CI: 18%, 41%) and included the inability to puncture the vessel (10), hematoma (6), malposition (1), and dislodgement (1). Procedural complications occurred in 24/47 patients (51%, 95% CI: 36%, 66%) and included cardiac dysrhythmias (13), hematoma (6), CVJC placement failure (4), and malposition (1). Risk factors associated with multiple catheterization attempts included increased age (7.5 years [± 4.2] vs 10.6 years [± 4.1], P = 0.04), smaller size (8.0 kg [0.6–51.9 kg] vs 4.4 kg [2.6–6.8 kg], P < 0.01) and thinner body condition score (median 5/9 [2/9–9/9] vs 4/9 [2/9–7/9], P = 0.04). The risk factor associated with dysrhythmias was smaller patient size (6.8 kg [2.6–51.9 kg] vs 4.8 kg [0.6–29.5 kg], P = 0.04). Eighteen indwelling complications occurred in 14 patients and included mechanical obstruction (7), skin irritation (6), malposition (4), and inflammation (1). Risk factors for indwelling complications included longer dwell time (5 days [2–30] vs 3 days [1–10], P < 0.01) and the administration of an irritant medication (P = 0.02). Conclusions: Complications were documented in the placement and maintenance of CVJCs in critically ill patients with a low incidence of life‐threatening sequelae. Risk factors associated with both unsuccessful CVJC placement and indwelling CVJC complications were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pesquisa Veterinaria Brasileira is the property of Colegio Brasileiro de Patologia Animal - CBPA and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Degenerative valvular disease (DJD) is responsible for over 70% of cardiovascular diseases in dogs aged 7 and older. However, it is recognized in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breed for manifesting at an early age. The present study aimed to assess the early onset of DJD in the German Spitz breed. Echocardiography reports, provided by a veterinary cardiologist in Greater Vitória, ES, were analyzed for German Spitz dogs up to 6 years of age from August 2022 to July 2023, identifying the presence or absence of DJD and its cardiac impact. Among the 34 animals investigated, 19 animals (55.88%) showed alterations, with 9 females (47.37%) and 10 males (52.63%). Out of these, 16 (84.21%) exhibited alterations in the mitral valve, followed by 3 (15.79%) in the mitral and tricuspid valves. According to the DJD classification, 15 animals (44.12%) were classified as A, 19 (55.88%) as B1, and none were classified as B2, C, or D. The patients in this study showed no clinical signs and underwent examinations due to the identification of heart murmurs on cardiac auscultation or as part of pre-anesthetic cardiac evaluation. Therefore, these patients had an early diagnosis of disease development without evidence of associated congestive heart failure. Among the 34 animals studied, ranging from 4 months to 6 years old, 55.8% exhibited early alterations, contrary to the age range of incidence described (3 years). It is concluded that further studies in this breed are essential for a better characterization of DJD manifestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The front cover of the journal is presented along with the issue's contents which include topics such as veterinary cardiology, endocrinology, and gastroenterology and provides information on journal's editorial board and subscriptions.

The article lists research papers, that cover topics including veterinary cardiology, internal medicine, and dog diseases, to be presented at the European Society of Veterinary Internal Medicine-Companion Animals (ECVIM-CA) conference from September 14 to 16, 2017.

Echocardiography is a well-established method for evaluating the heart and its function. The knowledge of normal echocardiographic anatomy and dimensions represents the basis for the diagnosis of abnormal cardiac affections. The present study was performed on 11 adult buffaloes that were divided into 2 groups according to their body weights. The technique used in the study was an adaptation from the technique used in cattle. The standardized technique used here allowed the collection of reliable and repeated echocardiographic images. The echocardiographic dimensions and functional indices for the buffalo’s heart were recorded. No significant difference was noticed between 2-D and M-mode measurements of cardiac dimensions. A significant correlation was noticed between the body weight and echocardiographic measurements. The echocardiographic dimensions in buffaloes were smaller than that previously recorded in cattle of similar body weights. The study could be used as a reference for further echocardiographic studies in buffaloes and represents a step in the identification and interpretation of cardiac affection in buffaloes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background and Aim: Aldosterone is a hormone, belonging to the group of mineralocorticoids, mainly synthesized in the adrenal cortex, basically its function is to regulate blood pressure and sodium-potassium levels in the body; high levels of this hormone have harmful effects in the organism and mainly in the heart in chronic form. Dilated cardiomyopathy is a progressive disease of heart muscle that is characterized by ventricular chamber enlargement and contractile dysfunction, is one of the most common cardiac conditions in dogs of medium and large breeds. The aim of the study was to determine and quantify if a dog's cardiac cells possess the capacity to synthesize aldosterone, as well as, the differences that appear between a healthy heart and with dilated myocardiopathy (DMC). Materials and Methods: Cardiac tissues were used from six healthy dogs and six with DMC. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine if the dog's heart cells synthesized this mineralocorticoid in a similar way to rat, rabbit, and human tissues, as well as quantitative differences between the healthy heart and DMC. Results: In healthy dog hearts, aldosterone values were 62.5 pG for both the atria and right ventricle and 125 pG for the left ventricle. As for dog hearts' with DMC, results were 125 pG in all four cavities. Conclusion: Both the healthy and DMC dog hearts produce aldosterone in all four cavities, observing that production increases in the atria and right ventricle of those hearts with DMC, as an intrinsic mechanism of cardiac remodeling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of biomarkers is an important recent development in veterinary medicine. Biomarkers allow non-invasive quantification of substances with diagnostic and prognostic potential in several diseases. The microRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and are expressed in different forms in many diseases. Reduced or over-expression of microRNAs showed to be part of the pathogenesis of some heart diseases in humans and animals. Diagnostic and therapeutic value of measuring microRNAs in veterinary cardiology is increased because abnormal expression can be managed by the use of antagonists (in the case of overexpression) and mimicking (in the case of underexpression). Thus, this literature review aimed to compile scientific evidence of dysregulation of microRNAs expression in different cardiac diseases being one of the promises in the therapeutic field and diagnosis of veterinary cardiology. MicroRNAs not only have potential as a biomarker but may also help in elucidation of aspects of the pathogenesis of a variety of diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a new surgical checklist for veterinary cardiologists based on the literature and the application of human factors design. The checklist was developed and iterated with subject-matter experts and was implemented for 4 months, during which use of the checklist was monitored, feedback was gathered, and a final survey was distributed to assess subjective experiences. Although developed for the cardiology team, the checklist also affected the anesthesia team by requiring information and responses to be transmitted across teams. Interviews, subjective reports, and observations pointed to the fact that the checklist engendered communication, particularly by requiring the thoughts and expectations of team members to be stated explicitly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Safety studies generate a significant volume of waveform and calculated data. The verification of calculated data and the process of searching through these data for patterns of interest (including arrhythmias) is time intensive. Data Insights™ has been developed for the Ponemah™ software platform to provide efficient verification and search capabilities. Methods Searches may be constructed using calculated and pattern matching data available in Ponemah. Searches are composed of one or more search clauses that may be combined using Boolean operators (AND, OR). Each search clause is a Boolean expression composed of inputs and functions. Data Insights includes a number of predefined species-specific searches for arrhythmias that were qualified for canine, non-human primate and minipigs. Qualification compared arrhythmias identified using Data Insights against a board-certified veterinary cardiologist hand-scored reference datasets. Results In seven out of eight arrhythmia types, arrhythmia incidences identified by Data Insights were congruent to those identified by hand-scoring. Premature Atrial Contractions (PACs) accounted for the only discrepancy in hand scored data-segments, although all overt PACs identified by the veterinary cardiologist were also identified by Data Insights. Unscored atrio-ventricular blocks accounted for the remaining differences. Discussion Data Insights may be used to support different applications, as searches may be created for any physiologic signal type. Its interactive dialog permits rapid review of search results and a dynamic method for handling outliers, signal noise, and false positives. Data Insights provides an efficient method to locate, present, and report on data patterns and anomalies for accurate, consistent results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CASE DESCRIPTION An adult sexually intact female Harris hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) housed at a wildlife hospital was evaluated because of acute collapse during an educational exhibition. CLINICAL FINDINGS Physical examination and hematologic analysis revealed no abnormalities; radiography revealed findings consistent with a previous tibiotarsal fracture. Coelioscopy with histologic examination and fungal culture of lung and air sac samples revealed anthracosis but no fungal infection.The hawk was discharged and temporarily removed from the education program; I month later, upon reintroduction into the program, it collapsed again. Physical examination and hematologic findings were similar to those after the first episode. Transcoe-lomic and transesophageal echocardiography and CT angiocardiography findings were consistent with cardiomyopathy. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME Initial cardiac treatment included furosemide (0.5 mg/kg [0.23 mg/lb], PO, q 24 h) and pimobendan (10 mg/kg [4.5 mg/lb], PO, q 12 h). After 10 days of treatment, peak and trough plasma concentrations of pimobendan were measured at 25,196 and 715.97 ng/mL, respectively; the dosage was decreased to 0.25 mg/kg (0.1 I mg/lb), PO, every 12 hours. No overt signs of toxicosis were detected. A sample was collected to reevaluate plasma pimobendan concentration after 30 days of treatment; results were not obtained prior to the patient's death but revealed a peak concentration of 16.8 ng/mL, with an undetectable trough concentration. The hawk was found dead 6 months after initial evaluation. Necropsy revealed cardiomegaly, but histologic examination did not reveal an inciting cause of cardiac dysfunction. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Cardiac disease in raptors may be underreported. Transcoelomic and transesophageal echocardiography and CT angiography provided useful information for the diagnosis of cardiac disease in the hawk of this report. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the diagnostic utility of ECGs acquired with a smartphone-based device, compared with reference 6-lead ECGs, for identification of heart rate and rhythm in dogs and cats. DESIGN Prospective study. ANIMALS 51 client-owned dogs and 27 client-owned cats. PROCEDURES Patients examined by a small animal referral cardiology service between April 2012 and January 2013 were enrolled consecutively. In each patient, a 30-second ECG was simultaneously acquired with a smartphone-based device (a bipolar, single-lead recorder coupled to a smartphone with an ECG application) and a standard 6-lead ECG machine. Recordings were evaluated by 3 board-certified cardiologists, and intra- and interobserver agreement were evaluated for both rhythm diagnosis and QRS polarity identification. RESULTS Values for instantaneous and mean heart rates for the smartphone-acquired and reference ECGs were within I beat of each other when mean heart rates were calculated. In-traobserver agreement for rhythm assessment was very high, with maximum disagreement for any observer for only 2 of 51 dogs and only 4 of 27 cats.There was minimal disagreement in the polarity of depolarization between the smartphone-acquired and reference ECGs in dogs but frequent disagreement in cats. Interobserver agreement for smartphone-acquired ECGs was similar to that for reference ECGs, with all 3 observers agreeing on the rhythm analysis and minimal disagreement on polarity. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Results suggested that ECGs acquired with the smartphone-based device accurately identified heart rate and rhythm in dogs and cats. Thus, the device may allow veterinarians to evaluate and manage cardiac arrhythmias relatively inexpensively at the cage side and could also allow clinicians to rapidly share information via email for further consultation, potentially enhancing patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]