Right ventricular size and function evaluated by various echocardiographic indices in dogs with pulmonary hypertension

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography and 2-dimensional (2D) strain measurements of the right ventricle (RV) are important indices in humans with pulmonary hypertension (PH) and need further evaluation in dogs with PH. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate various RV size and function indices in dogs with PH and to examine differences between pre- and postcapillary PH. ANIMALS: A total of 311 client-owned dogs: 100 dogs with PH, 31 with postcapillary and 69 with precapillary PH, and 211 healthy control dogs. METHODS: Retro- and prospective, multicenter study. Size and function of the RV was determined using several indices, derived using dedicated RV software, including 3D RV end-diastolic volume (EDVn), end-systolic volume (ESVn), ejection fraction, 2D global and free wall RV longitudinal strain (RVLS), end-diastolic area, end-systolic area, fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, and tissue Doppler imaging-derived systolic myocardial velocity of the lateral tricuspid annulus (S'n). RESULTS: , P < .001) were significantly larger in the PH group compared to healthy controls. Free wall RVLS was decreased in dogs with severe PH compared to controls (-24% vs -29.6%, P < .001). Dogs with precapillary PH had worse RV systolic function than dogs with postcapillary PH. CONCLUSION: Three-dimensional echocardiography of the RV is a promising tool to detect RV changes in dogs with PH. Also, 2D strain measurements are able to detect decreased RV function and offer several advantages compared to conventional indices.