Electrocardiography‐gated cardiac CT angiography can differentiate brachycephalic dogs with and without pulmonary valve stenosis and findings differ from transthoracic echocardiography

Pulmonary valve stenosis (PS) is one of the most commonly diagnosed congenital heart defects in dogs. Currently, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is the standard modality used to evaluate PS. Image acquisition by TTE can be challenging in some brachycephalic breeds of dogs. The use of echocardiographic‐gated CT angiography (ECG‐gated CTA) in veterinary medicine is limited. This retrospective method comparison study investigated right and left ventricular outflow diameters by sedated ECG‐gated CTA and unsedated TTE in 14 brachycephalic dogs with PS and 12 brachycephalic dogs without PS. Measurements of ventricular outflow structures were made in early systole and end diastole for both modalities and then compared for significance between systolic and diastolic phases, as well as between the two modalities. Ratios of the pulmonary trunk diameter to the aorta at different locations (aortic valve, aortic annulus, and ascending aorta) and in different planes (transverse, sagittal) were compared between dogs with PS and without PS, as well as within dogs, by both TTE and ECG‐gated CTA. Transthoracic echocardiography and ECG‐gated CTA both detected significantly greater pulmonary trunk to aorta ratios in dogs with PS at all aortic locations (P < 0.05). Pulmonary valve to aortic valve ratios were significantly smaller in dogs with PS (P < 0.05). Pulmonary trunk to aorta and pulmonary valve to aorta ratios were achieved with good anatomic detail using ECG‐gated CTA. Ratios of the pulmonary trunk and pulmonary valve relative to the aorta may be useful to evaluate for PS using a modality that is underutilized for cardiac assessment.     

Acaricidal effects of cardiac glycosides, azadirachtin and neem oil against the camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii (Acari: Ixodidae)

The cardiac glycoside, digitoxin, from Digitalis purpurea L (Scrophulariaceae), a cardiac glycosidal (cardenolide) extract from Calotropis procera (Ait) R Br (Asclepiadaceae), azadirachtin and neem oil from Azadirachta indica A Juss (Meliaceae) were tested for their effects against larvae and adult stages of the camel tick, Hyalomma dromedarii Koch (Acari: Ixodidae). The contact LC50 values of the first three materials against adults were 4.08, 9.63 and >40.7 microg cm(-2), respectively, whereas the dipping LC50 values of the four materials were 409.9, 1096, >5000 and >5000 mg litre(-1), respectively. Contact and dipping LC50 values of the extract and azadirachtin against larvae were 6.16, >20.3 microg cm(-2) and 587.7 and >2500 mg litre(-1), respectively. Azadirachtin had no effects on egg production or feeding of adults up to 5000 mg litre(-1); however at 2500 mg litre(-1), it caused significant reduction in feeding activity of larve, prolonged the period for moulting to nymphal stage, and caused 60% reduction in moultability. Results of the two cardiac glycoside materials are comparable with those of several commercial acaricides. The risks and benefits associated with the use of cardiac glycosides are considered.     

Effect of administering dexmedetomidine with or without atropine on cardiac troponin I level in isoflurane-anesthetized dogs

We aimed to determine whether dexmedetomidine administration with or without atropine increases cardiac troponin I (cTnI) level in healthy dogs. We hypothesized that 10 µg/kg dexmedetomidine + atropine increases the cTnI level, whereas 5 µg/kg dexmedetomidine + atropine does not. Eighteen healthy, pet dogs that underwent an orthopedic surgery or ovariohysterectomy were included in this study. The dogs were randomly assigned to atropine (0.02 mg/kg)–dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg), saline–dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg), and atropine (0.02 mg/kg)–dexmedetomidine (5 µg/kg) groups. Each dog was premedicated with atropine or saline intramuscularly (IM). After 10 min, they were IM injected with dexmedetomidine (10 or 5 µg/kg)–morphine (0.5 mg/kg)–midazolam (0.2 mg/kg). Following this, anesthesia was induced after 10 min with propofol and maintained with isoflurane in 100% oxygen. The median plasma cTnI level at 6, 12 and 24 hr after premedication was significantly higher than that at baseline. The cTnI level in the atropine–dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg) group was significantly higher than that in the saline–dexmedetomidine (10 µg/kg) and atropine–dexmedetomidine (5 µg/kg) groups at 6 and 12 hr after premedication. The cTnI level returned to normal within 72 hr after premedication in all groups. The administration of atropine in combination with 10 µg/kg dexmedetomidine increased the cTnI level, indicating subclinical myocardial damage.     

硝苯地平控释片治疗无痛性心肌缺血对左心功能的影响

硝苯地平（２０ｍｇ，ｑ１２ｈ×３ｗｋ）治疗无痛性心肌缺血２３例（男１５例，女８例，年龄５５±９．４ａ），对左心功能和ＲＡＡ检测结果显示：治疗后ＨＲ、ＳＢＰ、ＤＢＰ和ＭＡＰ均降低，以ＤＢＰ和ＭＡＰ降低显著（Ｐ＜０．０５）；缺血型ＳＴ段明显改善（Ｐ＜０．０１）；核素心功能ＬＶＥＦ、ＳＶ、ＥＲ和ＲＣＯ均升高（Ｐ＜０．０５～０．０１）；血浆ＰＲＡ和ＡｎｇⅡ降低明显（Ｐ＜０．０５）。表明该药有良好的降压和改善左心功能效应。     

Comparative analysis of heart functions in micropigs and conventional pigs using echocardiography and radiography

The production of miniature animals has been suggested for use in organ transplantation. At present, many of the studies about application of animal organs to human have been focused on pigs because of the number of advantages involved and due to their similarities with human. However, a physiological analysis of the organs to be transplanted has not yet been carried out. Therefore, this study analyzed whether or not there were physiological and morphological differences in the hearts of conventionally-reared pigs and micropigs. In this study, the morphological and physiological functions of the heart were examined using radiographic and echocardiographic equipment. In the lateral radiographic view, the heart of the micropig has a larger cardiac long axis : short axis ratio than does the conventional pig, but the difference in the vertebral heart score was not significant. In addition, there were no morphological differences on the X-ray fluoroscopic view. There were no differences in echocardiographic values, except for several values in the left ventricle traces. Overall, it is expected that the values measured in this study will contribute to understanding of the physiological characteristics of micropigs.