Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 20
Doppler Echocardiographic Prediction
of Pulmonary Hypertension in Canine
Leishmaniasis
P. Paradies, M. Sasanelli, V. Zaza, P. Spagnolo, L. Ceci, and D. de Caprariis
Abstract Ten symptomatic dogs, naturally infected by
Leishmania infantum
, were
examined by means of Doppler echocardiography to identify the presence of
pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The presence of two-dimensional features
of PAH and the presence of tricuspid and/or pulmonic valve regurgitation for
pulmonary artery pressure quantification were investigated, and standard echo-
Doppler variables (i.e., AT, AT/ET, and Tei) were calculated. None of the exam-
ined dogs showed two-dimensional features of PAH. In only one dog with mitral
endocardiosis, PAH was diagnosed by tricuspid jet velocity. Echo-Doppler
variables were not indicative of PAH in all dogs except one, which had a Tei
index value predictive of PAH but normal AT and AT/ET. Our preliminary data do
not support the presence of PAH in canine leishmaniasis; however, the study
population must be increased to yield stronger conclusions.
Keywords Dog • Doppler echocardiography •
Leishmania infantum
• Pulmonary
hypertension
Abbreviations
CanL Canine leishmaniasis
PAH
Pulmonary arterial hypertension
P. Paradies (
*
) • M. Sasanelli • V. Zaza • P. Spagnolo • L. Ceci • D. de Caprariis
Facolt` Medicina Veterinaria, Universit` di Bari, Bari, Italy
e-mail:
pparadies@veterinaria.uniba.it
