SPECKLE-TRACKING ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN DOGS WITH PATENT DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS

PDA is one of the most common congenital cardiac malformation in the dog. Echocardiography has been the cornerstone in diagnosing and providing hemodynamic information in a wide variety of disease.Recently, speckle tracking echocardiography has been regarded as a useful tool to assess cardiac function. Aim of the study was to compare cardiovascular hemodynamics in dogs with PDA with healthy control dogs and evaluate any change in cardiac contractility before and after PDA closure. A statistically significant difference was found between standard and advanced echocardiographic techniques, with absolute higher values in dogs with PDA as compared to healthy controls. Cardiovascular hemodynamics were markedly different before and after PDA closure. Based on the results, STE should be considered in echocardiographic assessment of dogs with PDA, as they represent an animal model of congenital left ventricular overload not affected.