LEC 12 - Cardiac Flashcards
Normal Dog Cardiac Size: Lateral view
2.5 to 3.5
Normal Dog Cardiac Size: VD view
2/3 width of thorax
Normal Dog Cardiac Size: Buchanan method
10 to 10.5
What is the VHS that determines disease is occurring?
11
What does a VHS between 10.5 and 10.9 tell you?
Normal unless patient is presenting with signs of cardiac problems
Normal Feline Cardiac Size: Lateral view
2.5 ICS
Normal Feline Cardiac Size: Ventral view
1/2 width of thorax
Normal Feline Cardiac Size: Buchanan method
Lateral = 8 VD = 4 vertebrae wide
What happens with obese cats and their cardiac x-rays?
Can no longer see heart
What does an aortic notch tell you?
Nothing, this is normal
Do not confuse with PDA
It is due to the orientation of the heart when taking xray
What happens to an older cats heart?
Tends to sag somewhat in the chest
What is the normal VHS score for a cat?
4.0
What is different about using VHS for a cat?
It is a sensitive test but not specific
What shape do you want the heart on lateral radiography?
Almond, curved border
What is the gold standard for imaging the heart?
Echocardiogram
What type of hypertrophy is seen on a radiograph? Why?
Eccentric is seen on xray.
Concentric is not because growth is occurring into the lumen so the overall size of the heart remains unchanged
What is the most common form of heart disease?
Left sided enlargement
What determines if the left sided heart disease is now heart failure?
Pulmonary edema
Why is enlargement only still only considered heart disease?
heart is still able to compensate
What is seen on an xray with left sided enlargement, laterally?
Dorsal deviation of the left main stem bronchi
Straightening of caudodorsal heart border
What are the two common causes of left-sided cardiomegaly?
Mitral valve disease
Dilated cardiomyopathy
What animal tends to get mitral valve disease?
small dogs
What animal tends to get dilated cardiomyopathy?
Large dogs
What left atrialcardiomegaly is most common in cockers?
Both are equally common (MVD + DCM)
What is seen on an xray with left sided enlargement, VD view?
Bulge at 2 to 3:00 position = left auricle
Abaxial devial of main stem bronchi
What is seen on the lateral view with left ventricle enlargement?
Dorsal deviation of trachea
– and –
Elongated heart
What is seen on the VD view with left ventricle enlargement?
Convex left heart border
– and –
Round apex
What are the lateral/VD descriptions of a right atrium enlargement?
Lateral: Convex craniodorsal heart border
VD: Rounding/enlargement of right crainla border
What are the lateral/VD descriptions of a right ventricle enlargement?
Lateral:
Dorsal deviation of apex
Sternal contact
VD:
Rounded shape
Reverse D
What are four common causes of generalized cardiomegaly?
Cardiomyopathy
Pericardial effusion
Chronic mitral/tricuspid insufficiency
PPDH
What fungus can cause pericardial disease?
Valley fever
What is an important radiological finding that would suggest PDA?
PDA bump
What happens with left heart failure?
Pulmonary vein enlargement
Cardiogenic pulmonary edema
= perihilar + caudodorsal pulmonary opacity
Poor LV function
What is seen in dogs with Right sided failure?
Ascities
What is seen in cats with left sided failure?
Pleural free fluid
What is seen in cows with left sided failure?
Jugular distention
When can you have heart failure but no changes in heart size?
Dobermans
Boxers
Arrythmias
When are x-rays of the heart useful?
Lung disease - pattern and location
Overall heart shape and size
When is an echo of the heart most useful?
Wall thickness
Chamber diameter
When is lasix ok to give to a heart failure patient?
When pulmonary edema is present
When pulmonary edema is not yet present in a cardiac failure patient what should they be given?
Enalapril only
