2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

For this purpose, we used 12 clinically healthy Beagle dogs, weighing between 10.2 and 12.5Kg. Animals were restrained in right lateral recumbency and echocardiographic evaluation was performed (Acuson X300 Premium Edition, Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.). Echocardiographic clips were obtained in right parasternal short-axis LV with papillary muscles view and evaluated offline at VVI software (Syngo Ã’ Velocity Vector Imaging TM , Siemens Medical Solutions). Once a reliable endocardial tracing over a single frame was manually drawn, endocardial borders were automatically tracked throughout the cardiac cycle. Accuracy of border tracking was visually confirmed by viewing the cardiac cycle in slow-motion while only border information was displayed. Systole was manually selected by moving the left and the right cursor to the onset of the QRS complex and the end of T wave, respectively. For each dog, the mean result of 3 consecutive cardiac cycles was used. Besides LV global peak systolic circumferential strain (St) time to peak (TPK) and mean value of peak systolic circumferential strain rate (SR), we also considered values obtained at the ventricular septum and the LV free wall. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is often performed in dogs following cardiopulmonary arrest. In patients with pulseless electrical activity (PEA) or asystole, intravenous therapy with vasoactive medications, such as epinephrine or vasopressin is currently recommended. During CPR, catheter placement may be challenging, and due to concurrent chest compressions, placement in the saphenous vein (SV) may be technically easier. In critically ill dogs, with pre-existing catheters in place, any readily accessible catheter may be chosen. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the time to reach the heart following intravenous administration of contrast material in the SV, the cephalic vein (CV) or jugular vein.