Cardiology Flashcards
Equipment for cardiac ultrasound
Cut out table
Chair/stool
Correct probe for patient
Ultrasound machine
Person to restrain
Environment needed for ultrasound
Quiet
Dark
Air conditioning (ideally)
Padded table
ECG pads
Preparation for cardiac ultrasound
Clipping
Spirit
Gel
Machine frequencies for cardiac ultrasound
Cats/small dogs 7.5MHz
Medium dogs 5MHz
Large dogs 2.5-3.5MHz
What does reducing gain do
Darken image
What are the right side views
Right parasternal long axis
Right parasternal short axis
What is the right parasternal long axis (4 chamber) view used to asses
Ventricle movement
Chamber diment
Valve morphology and motion
Left ventricle wall thickness and diameter/volume
How do you reach right parasternal long axis (5 chamber) view from (4 chamber)
Rotate probe anticlockwise 20° ift wrist to angle cranially
How do you get to right parasternal short axis view from parasternal long axis (4 chamber) view
Turn probe 90° thumb to bum
Tilt probe and slide up chest wall as necessary
What should the La:Ao be
<= 1.5 in dogs
<= 1.4 in cats
What shape is the aortic valve
Mercedes Benz sign
What does the ‘fish mouth’ view show
Left atrioventricular valve
What do you assess on cardiac ultrasound
Subjectively
- ventricular movement
- chamber dimensions
- valve morphology and motion
Quantitative
- left atrium diameter
- aorta diameter
- pulmonary artery diameter
- m-mode - EPSS, LV
What setting is best for measuring chamber size
M mode in dogs
In cats 2DE due to asymmetric hypertrophy
Key points on measuring in M mode
5% of dogs outside normal ranges
Some breeds have normals if not go off size
Ensure cursor between papillary muscles transacting LV in half for measuring
Clinical signs of left CHF pulmonary
oedema
Dyspnoea
Exercise intolerance
Cough
Not lying on chest
Fainting
Clinical signs of right CHF pulmonary
Ascites and pleural effusion
Exercise intolerance
Abdominal distension
Increased RR
Dyspnoea
When should you take a DV radiograph
Before either lateral
Where do you collimate for a cardiac radiograph
Thoracic inlet to caudal edge of scapula
Points for interpretation of radiographs
Assess technical quality
Don’t just look at heart and lungs
Assess respiratory system
Assess cardiac silhouette
What is the difference between deep and shallow chested dogs cardiac silhouettes
Deep chested much more upright and less contact with sternum
Shallow chested much more sternal contact
What is the vertebral heart score
Size of heart width + length compared to number of vertebral bodies
Normal total is between 8.5 and 10.5 vertebral bodies
How does pericardial effusion appear on radiography
Grossly enlarged cardiac silhouette
Distinct outline
Globular appearance
What classes as generalized heart enlargement
Heart takes up more that 2/3rds of the thorax