Evaluation of canine congenital heart disease using an echocardiographic algorithm

Evaluation of canine congenital heart disease presents a diagnostic challenge to many ultrasonographers. To assist clinicians attempting to examine these patients, an echocardiographic algorithm containing the six most common canine congenital heart diseases (i.e., patent ductus arteriosus, subaortic stenosis, pulmonic stenosis, ventricular septal defect, tricuspid dysplasia, and tetralogy of Fallot) is presented. The algorithm focuses on the underlying disease pathogenesis and the resultant changes in cardiac structure and function that can be readily identified during echocardiographic examination. Use of this algorithm provides a framework from which the ultrasonographer gains both experience and confidence in diagnosing congenital heart disease via echocardiography. This algorithm is supported by a number of still figures within the article as well as real-time echocardiographic images available for viewing at AAHA's website, www.aahanet.org.