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. 2023 Feb 15;19(1):49.
doi: 10.1186/s12917-023-03600-9.

Echocardiographic parameters in French Bulldogs, Pugs and Boston Terriers with brachycephalic obstructive airways syndrome

M Brložnik  1 , A Nemec Svete  1 , V Erjavec  1 , A Domanjko Petrič  2
Affiliations

Echocardiographic parameters in French Bulldogs, Pugs and Boston Terriers with brachycephalic obstructive airways syndrome

M Brložnik et al. BMC Vet Res. .

Abstract

Background: In this prospective study, we hypothesized that dogs with signs of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) would show differences in left and right heart echocardiographic parameters compared with brachycephalic dogs without signs of BOAS and non-brachycephalic dogs.

Results: We included 57 brachycephalic (30 French Bulldogs 15 Pugs, and 12 Boston Terriers) and 10 non-brachycephalic control dogs. Brachycephalic dogs had significantly higher ratios of the left atrium to aorta and mitral early wave velocity to early diastolic septal annular velocity; smaller left ventricular (LV) diastolic internal diameter index; and lower tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion index, late diastolic annular velocity of the LV free wall, peak systolic septal annular velocity, late diastolic septal annular velocitiy, and right ventricular global strain than non-brachycephalic dogs. French Bulldogs with signs of BOAS had a smaller diameter of the left atrium index and right ventricular systolic area index; higher caudal vena cava at inspiration index; and lower caudal vena cava collapsibility index, late diastolic annular velocity of the LV free wall, and peak systolic annular velocity of the interventricular septum than non-brachycephalic dogs.

Conclusions: The differences in echocardiographic parameters between brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic dogs, brachycephalic dogs with signs of BOAS and non-brachycephalic dogs, and brachycephalic dogs with and without signs of BOAS indicate higher right heart diastolic pressures affecting right heart function in brachycephalic dogs and those with signs of BOAS. Most changes in cardiac morphology and function can be attributed to anatomic changes in brachycephalic dogs alone and not to the symptomatic stage.

Keywords: BOAS; Brachycephaly; Dog; Echocardiography; Obstructive sleep apnea; Right heart.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Caudal vena cava collapsibility index (CVCCI) was lower in FB with signs of BOAS (A) than in non-brachycephalic dogs (B). LEGEND: CVC insp. = caudal vena cava during inspiration, CVC exp. = caudal vena cava during expiration
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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