Measurement of pulmonary transit time in healthy cats by use of ultrasound contrast media “Sonovue®”: Feasibility,reproducibility, and values in 42 cats

ObjectiveTo evaluate the feasibility of measuring pulmonary transit time (PTT) in healthy cats by transthoracic echocardiography using the ultrasound contrast agent Sonovue^®. To determine normalized PTT (nPTT) values in 42 healthy cats and to estimate the interobserver variability and the within-day repeatability of nPTT measurements.AnimalsForty-two privately owned healthy cats of different breeds, gender and age presented for cardiac examination.MethodsA bolus injection of contrast agent (Sonovue^®) was administered intravenously. The right parasternal short axis echocardiographic view was used to record the contrast agent's transit time from the pulmonary artery to the left atrium. Pulmonary transit time and nPTT were determined independently by three examiners with different levels of experience.ResultsNormalized PTT was 4.12 ± 1.0 (mean ± SD) in our population. The median interobserver variability across our population was 6.8%, the median within-day variability for the three observers were 13.1%, 12.7% and 13%. No effect of the observer's experience on nPTT measurement was identified. Age, sex and body weight did not significantly influence nPTT.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that nPTT measurement is feasible in cats using ultrasound and the blood pool contrast media Sonovue^®. Measurements of nPTT can be performed in a clinical setting. Normalized PTT values in healthy cats are comparable with those reported in healthy dogs.     

An echocardiographic study of healthy Border Collies with normal reference ranges for the breed

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to obtain standard echocardiographic measurements from healthy Border Collies and to compare these measurements to those previously reported for a general population of dogs.AnimalsStandard echocardiographic data were obtained from twenty apparently healthy Border Collie dogs. These data (n = 20) were compared to data obtained from a general population of healthy dogs (n = 69).MethodsBorder Collies were deemed healthy based on normal history, physical examination, complete blood count, serum biochemical profile, electrocardiogram, and blood pressure, with no evidence of congenital or acquired heart disease on echocardiographic examination. Standard two dimensional, M-mode, and Doppler echocardiographic measurements were obtained and normal ranges determined. The data were compared to data previously obtained at our hospital from a general population of normal dogs.ResultsTwo dimensional, M-mode, and Doppler reference ranges for healthy Border Collies are presented in tabular form. Comparison of the weight adjusted M-mode echocardiographic means from Border Collies to those from the general population of dogs showed Border Collies to have larger left ventricular systolic and diastolic dimensions, smaller interventricular septal thickness, and lower fractional shortening.ConclusionsThere are differences in some echocardiographic parameters between healthy Border Collies and the general dog population, and the echocardiographic reference ranges provided in this study should be used as breed specific reference values for Border Collies.     

柴胡对蟾蜍离体心脏功能活动影响的研究

[目的]观察不同浓度的柴胡水煮液对离体蟾蜍心脏活动的影响。[方法]采用斯氏离体蛙心灌流方法,分别以不同浓度的柴胡水煮液对离体的蟾蜍心脏进行灌流,经BL-420E生物机能实验系统记录离体蟾蜍心脏的收缩活动。[结果]0.009 g/ml的柴胡水煮液对离体蟾蜍心脏收缩振幅和心率影响均不明显（P〉0.05;P〉0.05）;而0.018 g/ml和0.180 g/ml的柴胡溶液对离体蟾蜍心脏收缩振幅和心率均具有降低与减慢的作用,影响显著（P〈0.01;P〈0.01）;尤其0.180 g/ml柴胡溶液对离体蟾蜍心脏的心肌收缩力的抑制作用更为明显,甚至导致心脏停止跳动。[结论]柴胡水煮液可抑制蟾蜍离体心脏的心肌收缩力,对心率有明显的减慢作用。     

Present investigation of PTEN gene in cardiovascular system

PTEN gene, identified in 1997 and named after the separation, was a new candidate tumor suppressor gene. The mutations of PTEN gene, loss of heterozygosity in human tumors are prevalent, such as malignant glioma, endometrial cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer, etc. The mutation frequency of PTEN is equivalent to p53. As an important functional element and a tumor suppressor gene, most scholars agree that PTEN gene is as important as p53. At present, studies on the PTEN gene mainly concentrated in the tumor area, its functions in the cardiovascular system are few reports. This article reviews the investigation of PTEN gene in the cardiovascular system.     

狐胆汁对蟾蜍离体心脏功能的影响

目的：研究狐胆汁对蟾蜍离体心脏的作用及对蟾蜍离体心脏细胞膜ATP酶活性的影响。方法：采用离体蛙心灌流法观察狐胆汁对离体蟾蜍心脏的收缩力、心率的影响,并通过定磷法检测狐胆汁对离体蟾蜍心肌细胞膜ATP酶活性的影响。结果：狐胆汁使蟾蜍离体心脏的收缩力加强,在0.3～4.0g/L浓度范围内,狐胆汁促进心肌收缩力的作用与剂量之间呈量效关系,最大效应可使心肌收缩力提高390%,心率减慢。随狐胆汁浓度提高,心肌细胞膜Ca^2＋-ATP酶活性提高,Na^＋K^＋-ATP酶、Mg^2＋-ATP酶、Ca^2＋Mg^2＋-ATP酶活性下降。结论：狐胆汁能提高蟾蜍离体心脏的功能,其作用机制有待进一步研究。     

Biochemical analysis of pericardial fluid and whole blood in dogs with pericardial effusion

Studies evaluating pericardial fluid analysis in dogs to determine the etiology of pericardial effusions have yielded conflicting results. The purpose of this prospective study was to compare acid-base status, electrolyte concentrations, glucose, and lactate of pericardial fluid to peripheral blood from dogs with pericardial effusion and to compare these variables between dogs with neoplastic and nonneoplastic pericardial effusion. Acid-base status, electrolyte concentrations, glucose, hematocrit, urea nitrogen, and lactate concentrations were evaluated in peripheral blood samples and in pericardial effusion samples of 41 client-owned dogs with pericardial effusion. Common abnormal findings in the peripheral blood of dogs with pericardial effusion included hyperlactatemia (n = 38 [of 41]; 93%), hyponatremia (n = 25/41; 61%), hyperglycemia (n = 13/41; 32%), and hypermagnesemia (n = 13/41; 32%). Bicarbonate, sodium, ionized calcium, glucose, and hematocrit were all significantly lower in the pericardial fluid compared with peripheral blood, whereas lactate, chloride, and PCO2 were significantly higher in the pericardial fluid. When comparing the concentrations of variables in the pericardial fluid of dogs with neoplasia (n = 28) to those without neoplasia (n = 13), pH, bicarbonate, and chloride were significantly lower in dogs with neoplasia, whereas lactate, hematocrit, and urea nitrogen were significantly higher in the pericardial fluid of dogs with neoplasia. The difference between peripheral and pericardial glucose concentrations was significantly larger in dogs with neoplasia than in dogs without neoplasia. Although differences between variables in dogs with neoplastic and nonneoplastic pericardial effusion were documented, clinical relevance is likely limited by the degree of overlap between the 2 groups.     

Accuracy of indirect measurement of blood pressure in neonatal foals

The objectives of this study were to assess, in anesthetized neonatal foals, the accuracy of 2 automated indirect oscillometric monitors for measurement of mean arterial pressure (MAP), to determine the optimal site of cuff placement for MAP monitoring, and to determine the relationship between arterial blood pressure and cardiac output. Ten neonatal foals were anesthetized and instrumented with a catheter in the metatarsal artery for direct MAP monitoring and measurement of cardiac output by lithium dilution. Concurrent MAP measurements were obtained with Cardell and Dinamap oscillometric monitors with cuffs placed at 3 different sites (coccygeal, metatarsal, and median arteries). Blood pressure was manipulated by varying the depth of anesthesia and by administration of dobutamine or phenylephrine. A statistically significant (P = .025) interaction was found between the type of monitor and cuff placement site. With the Cardell monitor, placement of the cuff over the coccygeal artery resulted in a significantly lower bias than placement over the median or dorsal metatarsal artery (P < .0001 and P = .0149, respectively). No significant difference in bias was found with cuff placement site when using the Dinamap monitor. The correlation coefficient (r) between MAP and cardiac output was 0.47. Indirect oscillometry with a cuff placed over the coccygeal artery or dorsal metatarsal artery is an acceptable method for measuring MAP in foals. Blood pressure does not correlate well with cardiac output in anesthetized foals.     

Effect of body position on feline electrocardiographic recordings

The aim of this study was to determine whether changes in body position alter feline electrocardiographic parameters. Forty-seven cats referred to the Feline Unit of the University of Bristol had electrocardiograms (ECGs) recorded. Only cats presenting in sinus rhythm were included in the study (n = 41). ECGs were recorded either as part of the investigation for potential cardiac disease (n = 38) or as a preanesthetic screen (n = 3). Standard 6-lead ECGs (leads I, II, III, aVR, aVL, and aVF) were recorded in 3 different recumbent positions in the 41 cats. Recordings were 1st made in right lateral (RL) recumbency, followed by sternal (ST) and then left lateral (LL) recumbency. Measurements were taken of the amplitude and duration of P waves and QRS complexes and duration of PQ and QT intervals from lead II was taken in the 3 different positions. Mean electrical axis (MEA) also was calculated. Repeated measures analysis of variance was performed and identified a significant difference in R wave amplitudes (P = .009) and MEA (P = .037) among the 3 different body positions. Two-tailed paired t-tests demonstrated that the R wave amplitude differed significantly both in ST (P = .025) and LL recumbency (P = .009). The mean R wave amplitude was reduced in both ST and LL recumbency when compared with RL recumbency. The MEA only was significantly different in LL recumbency (P = .037). ST and LL recumbencies should not be used for recording ECGs in cats if amplitudes and MEA are to be compared with standard references.