Use of 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess left ventricular systolic function in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Background: Early identification of systolic dysfunction in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) potentially could improve the outcome and decrease mortality.

Objective: To compare 2-dimensional speckle tracking (2D-STE) with 2-dimensional (2D) and M-mode echocardiography in the evaluation of systolic function in SIRS dogs.

Animals: Seventeen SIRS and 17 healthy dogs.

Methods: Prospective observational case-control study. Each dog underwent physical examination, conventional echocardiography, 2D-STE, and C-reactive protein measurement.

Results: Dogs with SIRS had lower 2D-STE ejection fraction (X4D-EF; 44 ± 8 versus 53 ± 8; P = .003), endocardial global longitudinal strain (ENDO-G-Long-St; -14.6 ± 3.2 versus -18.5 ± 4.1; P = .003), and normalized left ventricular diameter in diastole (1.38 ± 0.25 versus 1.54 ± 0.17; P = .04) and systole (0.85 ± 0.18 versus 0.97 ± 0.11; P = .03) as compared to healthy dogs. Simpson method of disks (SMOD) right parasternal EF (55 ± 9 versus 60 ± 6; P = .07) and end systolic volume index (ESVI; 23 ± 10 versus 21 ± 6; P = .61), SMOD left apical EF (59 ± 9 versus 59 ± 6; P = .87) and ESVI (20 ± 8 versus 22 ± 6; P = .25), fractional shortening (FS; 34 ± 5 versus 33 ± 4; P = .39), M-mode EF (64 ± 7 versus 62 ± 5; P = .35), and ESVI (23 ± 11 versus 30 ± 9; P = .06) were not significantly different between SIRS and control group, respectively.

Conclusion And Clinical Importance: Speckle tracking X4D-EF and ENDO-G-Long-St are more sensitive than 2D and M-Mode FS, EF, and ESVI in detecting systolic impairment in dogs with SIRS.