Breed-specific reference ranges for vertebral heart score (11.25), left atrial size (1.96), and left atrial dimension (1.59) were established for pugs, and were unaffected by BOAS severity.
Observational (n=47)
Blinded observers for radiographic images
No
This study establishes breed-specific reference ranges for radiographic cardiac scores in pugs, demonstrating that these values are higher than general canine references and are not significantly impacted by BOAS severity.
This prospective study aims to establish reference ranges for vertebral heart score (VHS), vertebral left atrial size (VLAS), and radiographic left atrial dimension (RLAD) in pugs. The impact of clinical severity of Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), gender, body condition score, and body weight on VHS, VLAS, and RLAD were investigated. Intra- and interobserver correlation was determined. Correlation of radiographic scores to echocardiographic left atrial dimension was inspected. Additionally, for VLAS and RLAD, correlation to VHS was examined. Additionally, an assessment of thoracic and vertebral malformations was performed. Forty-seven privately owned pugs underwent physical examination, echocardiography, and thoracic radiography to determine cardiac health. Thirty-two pugs were eligible for establishing reference ranges for VHS in right lateral radiographs, which was 11.25 ± 0.62 (95% range, 10.1-12.8). Reference ranges for VHS in left lateral, and for VLAS and RLAD in right lateral radiograph were determined in 30 pugs. The VHS in left lateral radiograph was 11.01 ± 0.70 (95% range, 9.4-12.6), VLAS was 1.96 ± 0.38 (95% range, 1.1-2.8), and RLAD was 1.59 ± 0.34 (95% range, 0.7-2.4). Clinical severity of BOAS did not show any impact on radiographic measurements. For VLAS, a significant correlation to VHS was detected by all observers. No other variables had a consistent influence on the radiographic scores given by all observers. Interobserver agreement was almost perfect for VHS (0.89 on right lateral and 0.91 on left lateral image), moderate for VLAS (0.49), and fair for RLAD (0.22). More than one third of the entire study population (18 of 47 pugs) showed at least one thoracic cavity or spine abnormality, often leading to considerable changes in vertebral body shape and size.
Wiegel et al. (Fri,) conducted a observational in Healthy pugs (without cardiac disease) (n=47). Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) vs. Clinically non-affected (BOAS-) was evaluated on Breed-specific reference ranges for vertebral heart score (VHS), vertebral left atrial size (VLAS), and radiographic left atrial dimension (RLAD). Breed-specific reference ranges for vertebral heart score (11.25), left atrial size (1.96), and left atrial dimension (1.59) were established for pugs, and were unaffected by BOAS severity.
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