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

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. © 2019 The Authors. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.