Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Dogs: Evaluating Imaging Parameters and Methodological Variability in Global...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Veterinary Ultrasound

Background:

• Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) provides quantitative myocardial function assessment.
• Analyzing speckle motion during ultrasound interactions offers insights into cardiac performance.
• Reliable 2D-STE requires understanding technical parameter influences on strain measurements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reliability of 2D-STE for global longitudinal strain (GLS) measurement.
• To assess the impact of technical parameters on 2D-STE accuracy.
• To compare two GE Healthcare speckle-tracking methods: 2D strain and automated function imaging (AFI).

Main Methods:

• Prospective study in two cohorts of healthy dogs (n=16 and n=10).
• Assessed influence of frame rate, heart rate variability, zoom, frequency, and foreshortening on 2D-STE.
• Compared 2D strain and AFI for agreement and observer variability.

Main Results:

• Foreshortening (p < 0.01) and heart rate variability (p = 0.02) significantly affected speckle-tracking measurements.
• Zoom, frame rate, and frequency did not show significant impact.
• AFI systematically underestimated GLS compared to 2D strain, despite strong correlation; intra-/inter-observer CVs were <9%.

Conclusions:

• Foreshortening and heart rate variability are critical factors affecting 2D-STE GLS accuracy.
• While both 2D strain and AFI are reliable, image acquisition optimization is essential.
• Careful selection of imaging parameters and criteria enhances the dependability of speckle-tracking analysis.