Feasibility of radial and circumferential strain analysis using 2D speckle tracking echocardiography in cats
Hiroshi Takano1, Tomomi Isogai, Takuma Aoki
1Department of Surgery 1, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, 1-17-71 Fuchinobe, Chuo-ku, Sagamihara-shi, Kanagawa 252-5201, Japan.
Insights
Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is feasible for assessing feline hearts. This technique can detect myocardial dysfunction in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) by evaluating left ventricle (LV) strain.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Veterinary Medicine
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common cardiac disease in cats.
- Accurate assessment of myocardial function is crucial for diagnosing and managing feline heart disease.
- Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) offers advanced methods for evaluating cardiac mechanics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the feasibility of using STE for strain analysis in cats.
- To evaluate STE-derived strain and strain rate variables in healthy cats and those with HCM.
- To assess the relationship between STE variables and left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy in cats with HCM.
Main Methods:
- STE analysis was performed on short-axis images of the left ventricle (LV).
- Feasibility was assessed by the percentage of technically adequate image segments.
- Strain and strain rate variables were measured in clinically healthy cats (n=16) and cats with HCM (n=17).
- The effects of sedation (buprenorphine and acepromazine) on STE variables were evaluated.
Main Results:
- Technically adequate images for STE analysis were obtained in 97.6% of LV segments.
- Sedation did not significantly alter global strain or strain rate measurements.
- Cats with HCM showed reduced segmental radial strain and strain rate in association with LV hypertrophy.
- STE demonstrated potential for detecting myocardial dysfunction in cats with diseased hearts.
Conclusions:
- STE is a clinically feasible imaging technique for myocardial strain analysis in cats.
- STE can identify segmental myocardial dysfunction in cats with HCM.
- This technique holds promise for the early detection and management of heart disease in feline patients.
Abstract:
The purpose of the present study is to investigate the feasibility of strain analysis using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) in cats and to evaluate STE variables in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Sixteen clinically healthy cats and 17 cats with HCM were used. Radial and circumferential strain and strain rate variables in healthy cats were measured using STE to assess the feasibility. Comparisons of global strain and strain variables between healthy cats and cats with HCM were performed. Segmental assessments of left ventricle (LV) wall for strain and strain rate variables in cats with HCM were also performed. As a result, technically adequate images were obtained in 97.6% of the segments for STE analysis. Sedation using buprenorphine and acepromazine did not affect any global strain nor strain rate variable. In LV segments of cats with HCM, reduced segmental radial strain and strain rate variables had significantly related with segmental LV hypertrophy. It is concluded that STE analysis using short axis images of LV appeared to be clinically feasible in cats, having the possibility to be useful for detecting myocardial dysfunctions in cats with diseased heart.
