RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS OF THE 28th ECVIM-CA CONGRESS

Three left atrial measurements were obtained from echocardiographs at end‐systole (just prior to mitral valve opening) in the right parasternal long‐axis view, and at end‐systole (at aortic valve closure, LAmax), onset of atrial systole (p‐wave, LAp) and end‐diastole (R‐wave, LAmin) in the right parasternal short axis view. Three diastolic left ventricular (LV) dimensions were obtained in the short axis view. Measurements were averaged and LA:Ao calculated. The LAmax and LV measurements were indexed to bodyweight‐adjusted aortic measurements as previously described (wLA, wLV). Dogs were considered to have no LA enlargement if wLA and/or wLV were within previously established reference intervals. Reference intervals were calculated nonparametrically.