Use of pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography to determine aortic and pulmonary velocity and flow variables in clinically normal dogs

Am J Vet Res. 1991 Apr;52(4):543-50.

Abstract

Transcutaneous pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography was used to obtain velocity signals from the aortic and pulmonary roots of clinically normal adult dogs tranquilized with acepromazine. Doppler-derived variables included peak ejection velocity, ejection time, and velocity-time integral. The cross-sectional areas of the left and right ventricular outflow tracts were estimated from diameters of the respective orifices measured from two-dimensional echocardiographic images. These data were used to calculate stroke volume and cardiac output for each ventricle. Linear, single variable regressions of ejection time, velocity-time integral, and peak velocity with body weight showed no significant correlations. Significant correlations existed between body weight and estimated left and right ventricular stroke volume and cardiac output. A close correspondence existed between pulmonary and aortic determinations of velocity-time integral, stroke volume, and cardiac output. These results provide an initial framework for interpretation of clinical data by veterinary cardiologists.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aortic Valve / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Valve / physiology*
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / veterinary
  • Blood Flow Velocity / veterinary
  • Cardiac Output
  • Dog Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Dogs / physiology*
  • Echocardiography, Doppler / veterinary*
  • Female
  • Heart Ventricles / diagnostic imaging
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Valve / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Valve / physiology*
  • Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency / veterinary
  • Reference Values
  • Stroke Volume
  • Ventricular Function