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Echocardiographic and clinical signs of canine dilated cardiomyopathy
Author(s) -
LOMBARD CHRISTOPHE W.
Publication year - 1984
Publication title -
journal of small animal practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1748-5827
pISSN - 0022-4510
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-5827.1984.tb00447.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cardiology , ventricle , dilated cardiomyopathy , atrial fibrillation , heart failure , cardiomyopathy , ejection fraction , left atrial enlargement , clinical significance , excursion , sinus rhythm , political science , law
The clinical signs, electrocardiograms and echocardiograms of 12 dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy of large breeds and congestive heart failure were reviewed. There was a high prevalence of males (11 dogs) and of the Doberman breed (7 dogs). Seven dogs had atrial fibrillation. The echocardiograms revealed significant increases in left ventricular and left atrial dimensions. The shortening fraction (%ΔD), aortic root excursion and left ventricular wall excursion were all significantly decreased, documenting a decrease in contractile function of the left ventricle that, together with the cardiac enlargement characterize this disease. The advantages of obtaining these functional parameters non‐invasively are emphasized.