Diagnostic accuracy of electrocardiography and thoracic radiography in the assessment of left atrial size in cats: Comparison with transthoracic 2-dimensional echocardiography

Schober, KE; Maerz, I; Ludewig, E; Stern, JA

HERO ID

519184

Reference Type

Journal Article

Year

2007

Language

English

PMID

17708390

HERO ID 519184
In Press No
Year 2007
Title Diagnostic accuracy of electrocardiography and thoracic radiography in the assessment of left atrial size in cats: Comparison with transthoracic 2-dimensional echocardiography
Authors Schober, KE; Maerz, I; Ludewig, E; Stern, JA
Journal Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Volume 21
Issue 4
Page Numbers 709-718
Abstract Background: Left atrial (LA) enlargement (LAE) is a morphologic expression of the severity and chronicity of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction, volume overload, and increased atrial pressure and has diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic importance in cats. The noninvasive gold standard for assessing LA size is 2-dimensional echocardiography (2DE). Hypothesis: ECG and thoracic radiography may be used to predict LAE in cats. Animals: Twenty-one healthy control cats and 31 cats with cardiomyopathy were prospectively studied. Methods: 2DE studies, including determination of the maximum LA dimension (LAD) and area (LAA), were performed prospectively in all cats and compared to the assessment of LA size based on thoracic radiography and indices obtained from a 6-lead ECG. Results obtained from healthy cats were used to generate discrimination limits suggestive of LAE as defined by LAD > 1.57 cm and LAA > 2.75 cm(2). Results: In cats with LAE, P wave duration and PR interval were prolonged and radiographic LA vertebral heart size (LA-VHS) was increased (P < .05). P wave-related indices had low sensitivity (Se; range, 0.12 to 0.60) but high specificity (Sp; range, 0.81 to 1.00) for the prediction of LAE. Radiographic indices had low Se (range, 0.28 to 0.72) and high Sp (range, 0.74 to 0.95) for the prediction of LAE. Correlation analyses identified correlations between LAA and P wave duration (r = 0.47, P = .003) and LAD and LA-VHS (r = 0.70, P < .001). Conclusion and Clinical Importance: ECG and thoracic radiography are reasonably specific but less sensitive predictors of LAE in cats.
Doi 10.1892/0891-6640(2007)21[709:daoeat]2.0.co;2
Pmid 17708390
Is Certified Translation No
Dupe Override No
Is Public Yes
Language Text English
Keyword electrocardiography; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; left atrium; P wave; vertebral heart size; hypertrophic cardiomyopathy; diastolic dysfunction; volume; enlargement; disease; heart; validation; pressure; criteria; risk
Is Qa No