• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.287-293
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• 2022

Radiographic left atrial dimension (RLAD) is a useful measurement to assess left atrial enlargement in dogs. There are studies on the use of RLAD on various breeds of dogs, but no study on a specific breed with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). This study was conducted to compare RLAD measurements in Maltese dogs with MMVD ACVIM stage B1 and B2, and also to investigate the correlation of RLAD with the LA:Ao ratio. A total of 29 Maltese dogs were the subjects of this study. Each dog was diagnosed with MMVD ACVIM stage B1 or B2 based on physical examination, thoracic radiography, and echocardiography. The vertebral heart size (VHS), RLAD, LVIDDn, and LA:Ao ratio were measured and compared to evaluate the differences. There were significant differences in the RLAD, LVIDDn, and LA:Ao ratio between dogs with MMVD ACVIM stage B1 and those with stage B2. There was a significant correlation between the LA:Ao ratio and both the RLAD and VHS measurements, but the correlation coefficient was higher for RLAD. The RLAD scores exhibited a significant difference between dogs with ACVIM Stage B1 and with those with B2, and these scores had a higher correlation with the LA:Ao ratio measured by echocardiography than with VHS.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2024

Radiographic left atrial dimension (RLAD) is a valuable metric for assessing left atrial enlargement in dogs. While there have been studies on the use of RLAD and the increase in C-reactive protein (CRP) levels based on heart disease stages, there has been no prior research on the correlation between RLAD and CRP. In this study, the objective was to investigate the relationship between the rise in RLAD as myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) stages advance and the increase in CRP levels with MMVD stage progression. In this study, a total of 30 small-breed dogs were included as subjects. These dogs were diagnosed with MMVD at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) stage B1 or B2, or stage C, based on a comprehensive assessment including physical examination, thoracic radiography, and echocardiography. Measurements of VHS and RLAD were compared to assess any significant differences. There were significant differences in RLAD between dogs with MMVD ACVIM stage B1 and those with stage C. The monocytes and CRP levels showed significant differences between ACVIM stage B1, B2 and ACVIM C. Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between the RLAD and VHS measurements. This underscores the notable association between MMVD stage advancement and elevated monocyte and CRP levels. The RLAD scores exhibited a significant difference among dogs with ACVIM stages B1, B2, and C, and significant variations were also observed in monocyte and CRP levels. These results suggest that monocyte and CRP levels may be a valuable diagnostic indicator for heart disease in dogs during the diagnostic evaluation.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.273-278
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• 2001

Chronic mitral valvular insufficiency (CMVI) is the most common heart disease in dogs. The prevalence of CMVI is age-dependent. CMVI is usually affected to small to medium size breeds. It is more prevalent in males than females. The characteristic lesions of CMVI are caused by an acquired chronic structural degeneration of the mitral valve defined as endocardiosis or myxomatous degeneration. The main clinical signs are cough, respiratory distress, weakness and pleural effusion and ascites by secondary right-sided heart failure. The most prominent clinical finding is a systolic heart murmur. The thoracic radiography and echocardiography are useful methods in diagnosis of CMVI. Thoracic radiographic findings are left atrial enlargement, left main stem bronchial compression and pulmonary edema. Echocardiography is confirmed to increased left atrial and ventricular dimension, mitral regurgitation, mitral valve thickening and abnormal movement. Thoracic radiography and echocardiography are used to obtain a definite diagnosis of CMVI, and then to study the progression of the condition.