Transthoracic echo-guided pacemaker implantation reduces fluoroscopic use in dogs.

Echocardiographic guidance provides an alternative method when fluoroscopy is unavailable, equipment or power failure of fluoroscopic equipment during a procedure occurs or to decrease radiation risk. Recently, transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography were reported as an alternative method to guide interventional procedures in dogs. Therefore, we hypothesized that TTE could be used as an alternative method to visualize endocardial leads during pacemaker implantation in dogs, largely avoiding the use of fluoroscopy.

Transesophageal echocardiography as the sole guidance for occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus using a canine ductal occluder in dogs.

Background: Transcatheter occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is usually performed by fluoroscopy alone or together with transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) guidance has been used for deployment of Amplatz Canine Ductal Occluder (ACDO), but sometimes is limited by suboptimal acoustic windows. Transesophageal echocardiography can overcome such issues and provides higher image resolution at the level of the great vessels.

Myosin-binding protein C DNA variants in domestic cats (A31P, A74T, R820W) and their association with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Background: Two mutations in the MYBPC3 gene have been identified in Maine Coon (MCO) and Ragdoll (RD) cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).

Objective: This study examined the frequency of these mutations and of the A74T polymorphism to describe their worldwide distribution and correlation with echocardiography.

Animals: 1855 cats representing 28 breeds and random-bred cats worldwide, of which 446 underwent echocardiographic examination.

Transthoracic echocardiographically-guided interventional cardiac procedures in the dog.

Objectives: Interventional cardiac procedures are traditionally performed using fluoroscopy, or, more recently, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Neither modality is widely available to practicing cardiologists worldwide. We examined whether balloon valvuloplasty of pulmonic stenosis (PS) and transarterial occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in dogs could be performed safely with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).