Research Communications of the 24th ECVIM-CA Congress

Twenty-five dogs of different breeds, age and weight were prospectively recruited and a complete echocardiographic evaluation was performed before and 24 hours after PDA closure. End diastolic and systolic diameters indexed for body surface area (EDVI/ESVI) both derived by M-mode and B-mode views, allometric scaling derived AlloD and AlloS, Sphericity Index (SI) and pulmonary to systemic flow ratio (Qp/Qs) were assessed both pre and postoperatively. STE derived parameters assessed were longitudinal, radial and circumferential strain and strain rate. A statistically significant difference was found in all standard parameters of cardiac function before and after PDA closure (p < 0.002), with a general decrease in values 24 hours postoperatively. STE derived parameters of cardiac function showed a trend toward a decrease back to normal values, which was statistically significant (p < 0.01) for circumferential and radial strain and strain rate, while longitudinal strain and strain rate did not reach statistically significance.