Impaired left ventricular systolic function assessed by endocardial global longitudinal strain imaging in cats with
J Schoebel1, Y Zablotski2, G Wess2
1Small Animal Clinic, LMU University, Veterinaerstr. 13, 80539 Munich, Germany; Small Animal Referral Center, Kleintierzentrum am Schmelzbach, Am Schmelzbach 41A, 08112, Wilkau-Haßlau, Germany.
Insights
Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) in cats impairs systolic function, as evidenced by reduced global longitudinal strain (GLS). This finding indicates that RCM causes both diastolic and systolic dysfunction in felines.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Cardiac Physiology
Background:
- Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM) is a common feline cardiac condition.
- RCM is primarily known to cause diastolic dysfunction.
- Systolic function in cats with RCM remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate systolic function in cats with RCM.
- Utilize two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess endocardial global longitudinal strain (GLS).
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 25 cats with RCM and 25 healthy controls.
- Acquisition of left apical two-, three-, and four-chamber views.
- Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography for endocardial GLS analysis.
Main Results:
- Cats with RCM exhibited significantly larger left ventricular internal diameters in systole and diastole compared to controls.
- Endocardial GLS was significantly reduced in cats with RCM (-17.68% ± 4.78) versus controls (-28.35% ± 3.72).
- P-values < 0.0001 indicated statistical significance for GLS reduction.
Conclusions:
- Reduced endocardial GLS in cats with RCM signifies systolic dysfunction.
- RCM in cats leads to both diastolic and systolic cardiac dysfunction.
- Study limitations include retrospective design and lack of histopathology.
Introduction/Objectives:
Restrictive cardiomyopathy (RCM), the second most common cardiomyopathy in cats, is known to induce primary diastolic dysfunction. Little is known about systolic function in cats with RCM. The aim of this study was to evaluate systolic function using two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography-derived endocardial global longitudinal strain (GLS) in a population of cats with RCM.
Animals, Materials And Methods:
Twenty-five adult cats diagnosed with RCM as well as 25 healthy control cats were included in the present study. Left apical two-, three-, and four-chamber views were obtained retrospectively for endocardial GLS analysis derived by two-dimensional speckle tracking. Comparison of cats with RCM with a matched control group was performed.
Results:
Cats with RCM had significantly larger left ventricular internal diameters in both, systole (P<0.0001) and diastole (P=0.0015), than controls. In systole, cats with RCM had values of 11.05 mm ± 2.24, in contrast to those of 8.48 mm ± 1.35 in healthy controls. In diastole, these values were 16.10 mm (range: 10.50-20.60 mm) in cats with RCM, higher than 14.90 mm (range: 10.00-17.50 mm) in the control group. Global longitudinal strain values were significantly lower in cats diagnosed with RCM than in control cats (P<0.0001), with a mean value of -17.68% ± 4.78 vs. -28.35% ± 3.72, respectively.
Study Limitations:
Limitations mainly comprised the retrospective character of the study, leading to lack of treatment standardization and histopathology, as well as a limited population of felines.
Conclusions:
Endocardial GLS is reduced in cats with RCM, indicating that cats with RCM not only have a diastolic but also systolic dysfunction.
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