2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

In conclusion obtaining AROA using RT3DE is feasible and offers an additional, non-invasive technique to stratify MR severity in dogs with MMVD. The relatively low repeatability suggests standardization of the technique is desirable. Diagnostic and prognostic utility of AROA deserve further investigation. Three-dimensional (3D) saddle shape of the mitral valve annulus was first reported in 1987 by Levine and colleagues. Previous studies showed annulus height to commissural width ratio (AHCWR), an index parameter for saddle-shape of mitral annulus, is preserved across mammalian species (15-20%) . This suggests that nature conserves the saddle-shaped annulus for mechanical benefit. Menciotti et al described 3D transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) of normal dogs and AHCWR was 21 AE 0.05%. There are no reports on 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) studies on dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). This study aims to evaluate mitral valve annulus morphology using 3D TEE in dogs with MMVD.