Reference Values and Repeatability of B-mode and M-mode Echocardiographic Parameters in Healthy Donkey (Equus asinus) - The Guide to Assess Healthy Heart

Reference Values and Repeatability of B-mode and M-mode Echocardiographic Parameters in Healthy Donkey (Equus asinus) - The Guide to Assess Healthy Heart

Journal Pre-proof Reference Values and Repeatability of B-mode and M-mode Echocardiographic Parameters in Healthy Donkey (Equus asinus) - The Guide to...

800KB Sizes 0 Downloads 16 Views

Journal Pre-proof Reference Values and Repeatability of B-mode and M-mode Echocardiographic Parameters in Healthy Donkey (Equus asinus) - The Guide to Assess Healthy Heart Alshimaa M.M. Farag, Hussam M.M. Ibrahim PII:

S0737-0806(20)30020-4

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102929

Reference:

YJEVS 102929

To appear in:

Journal of Equine Veterinary Science

Received Date: 1 October 2019 Revised Date:

19 December 2019

Accepted Date: 7 January 2020

Please cite this article as: Farag AMM, Ibrahim HMM, Reference Values and Repeatability of Bmode and M-mode Echocardiographic Parameters in Healthy Donkey (Equus asinus) - The Guide to Assess Healthy Heart, Journal of Equine Veterinary Science (2020), doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.jevs.2020.102929. This is a PDF file of an article that has undergone enhancements after acceptance, such as the addition of a cover page and metadata, and formatting for readability, but it is not yet the definitive version of record. This version will undergo additional copyediting, typesetting and review before it is published in its final form, but we are providing this version to give early visibility of the article. Please note that, during the production process, errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

1

Reference Values and Repeatability of B-mode and M-mode Echocardiographic Parameters in

2

Healthy Donkey (Equus asinus) - The Guide to Assess Healthy Heart

3 4

Alshimaa M.M. Farag; Hussam M.M. Ibrahim*

5

Department of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,

6

Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, Egypt

7 8 9

* Corresponding author:

10

Tel.: +2-050-2214233; Mobile: +2-01005290592

11

E-mail: [email protected]

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

1

24

Abstract

25

Donkey (Equus asinus), the cheapest form of agricultural power in Egypt, is used principally as

26

draught or pack animals and may also be ridden, or used for threshing, raising water, milling and

27

other work. The aim of the present study was to provide B-mode and M-mode echocardiographic

28

reference ranges from a sample of population of donkeys (Equus asinus) based on the probability

29

theory and statistics. In the current study, B-mode and 2 dimensional guided M-mode

30

echocardiography were performed on 44 clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) (22 males and 22

31

females), without any neither clinical nor echocardiographic evidences of cardiovascular disease,

32

aged 2 – 25 years old, and weighed 150 – 350 kg. The echocardiographic dimensions; including

33

interventricular septum thickness at end diastole, interventricular septum thickness at end systole,

34

left ventricular internal diameter at end diastole, left ventricular internal diameter at end systole, left

35

ventricular posterior wall thickness at end diastole, and left ventricular posterior wall thickness at

36

end systole were assessed. The cardiac function indices; including end diastolic volume, end systolic

37

volume, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening were also measured. B-mode and

38

guided M-mode echocardiographic examination of healthy donkeys revealed that both the

39

interventricular septum thickness and the left ventricular posterior free wall were greater during

40

systole than diastole. However, the left ventricular dimension during diastole was greater than

41

systole. Furthermore, the recorded data of cardiac functional indices; including end diastolic volume,

42

end systolic volume, stroke volume, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening using B-mode

43

echocardiography were closer to those recorded by guided M-mode echocardiography. To our

44

knowledge, this is the first Egyptian study to report the echocardiographic reference ranges of

45

donkeys (Equus asinus) based on the probability theory and statistics, the coefficient of variation.

46

The results of the current study can be used as a standard and reference value for further

2

47

echocardiographic studies in donkeys and represents a step in the identification, interpretation, and

48

evaluation of cardiovascular disorders in such animals.

49 50

Key

words:

Donkeys

(Equus

asinus),

B-mode

echocardiography,

51

echocardiography, Cardiac dimensions, Cardiac function indices.

Guided

M-mode

52 53

1. Introduction

54

The quantification of cardiac dimensions and cardiac function indices is the backbone of cardiac

55

imaging, with echocardiography being a safe, non-invasive, powerful standard diagnostic imaging

56

tool in equine cardiology. Equine echocardiography uses ultrasound technology to display images of

57

a horse’s heart, providing a substantial amount of information about cardiac function, structure, flow

58

and indexes important for their athletic performance [1]. Beside qualitative estimation, measurement

59

of the cardiac dimensions and estimation of the cardiac function indices are inevitable to determine

60

the cardiac performance of healthy animals and to identify injuries, disorders or structural

61

abnormalities of the heart that may impair performance [2]. It is widely used in cardiology clinics

62

worldwide to assess heart chambers size, how well the left side of the heart is functioning, intra-

63

cardiac and extra-cardiac masses, systolic and diastolic function, valvular structure and function, and

64

fluid collections in the pericardial sac around the heart [3,4].

65

Echocardiography is the cornerstone for diagnosis of congenital cardiac malformations, valvular

66

diseases, myocardial diseases, acquired cardiac defects, cardiac arrhythmias, and cardiac murmurs.

67

Thus, it is recommended in horses with loud systolic and diastolic murmurs, muffling heart sound,

68

pericardial friction rubs, and exercise intolerance. It is also essential to exactly identify the cause of

69

the cardiac murmurs and characterize the severity of the underlying cardiac abnormality as well as

3

70

assessing its potential impact on the horse performance and life expectancy [5]. Three valuable types

71

of echocardiography, Two-dimension (B-mode), Motion (M-mode) and Doppler are well known

72

providing together complementary information about the nature of cardiac abnormalities as well as

73

the hemodynamic status.

74

B-Mode echocardiography, backbone of cardiac ultrasound, allows imaging a plane of tissue

75

(both depth and width) in real time. The images that cut the heart into slices, which may follow the

76

length (longitudinal plane) and the width of the heart (transverse plane) represent an

77

echocardiography plane [6]. Thus, the anatomical relations between different structures are easier to

78

appreciate. There are an infinite number of cardiac imaging planes; however, the standard views are

79

essential for evaluation of the intra- and extra-cardiac structures [7,8]. B-Mode echocardiography

80

permits imaging the internal cardiac structures, including the heart chambers, the structure and

81

thickness of the chamber walls, the structure and function of the valves, myocardium, pericardium

82

and great vessels [9,10].

83

M-mode echocardiography is produced by transmission and reception of an ultrasound signal

84

along only one line, giving a high sensitivity, greater than B-mode, to record the moving structures

85

(e.g. valve opening and closing or ventricular wall movement) [11]. M-mode echocardiography

86

produces a one-dimension view of the moving cardiac structures over time. A more accurate

87

positioning of the M-mode cursor within the heart is performed using two-dimension real-time

88

image as a guide. M-mode echocardiogram uses a high sampling rate and can yield cleaner images

89

of cardiac borders, allowing the clinician to obtain more accurate measurements of cardiac

90

dimensions and more critically evaluate the motion of cardiac structures. Therefore, M-mode

91

echocardiography is superior to B-mode echocardiography for timing of events and is used to obtain

92

precise cardiac measurements [12]. In equine cardiology, echocardiography has been introduced

4

93

allowing measurement of cardiac dimensions since 1977, but the standardization of the imaging

94

techniques and obtaining reference values persisted until recent years. Accurate measurement of

95

cardiac dimensions requires knowledge of reference values of normal cardiac anatomy,

96

echocardiographic dimensions and cardiac function indices that represents the basis for diagnosing

97

cardiac diseases. Thus, the goal of the present investigation was to determine the echocardiographic

98

dimensions and cardiac function indices in clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) which will be

99

helpful in diagnosing donkeys with cardiac diseases. To our knowledge, this is the first Egyptian

100

study to report on echocardiographic reference ranges from donkeys (Equus asinus) based on the

101

probability theory and statistics, the coefficient of variation (CV) which is a standardized measure of

102

dispersion of a probability distribution or frequency distribution to express the precision and

103

repeatability of an assay.

104 105

2. Materials and Methods

106

2.1. Animals

107

The present study was conducted on 44 clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) from which

108

22 males, all gelding, and 22 females. The donkeys were randomly selected from a wide range of

109

ages, to give a fairly even distribution within the age groups < 5 years, 5–15 years and >15 years old

110

and weighed 150 to 350 kg. The body condition score (BCS) for the selected donkeys were 3 in 34

111

donkeys, 3.5 in 5 donkeys, and 4 in 5 donkeys. All donkeys are selected to be clinically healthy and

112

free from any cardiovascular illness, based on clinical examination as well as complete cardiac

113

examination, including assessment of the heart rate, regularity of the heart beats, the strength of the

114

heart sounds, abnormal heart sounds, and electrocardiography [13]. Therefore, any systemic

115

diseases, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac murmurs, detectable cardiac defects, and those

5

116

donkeys non-compliant with handling were considered the exclusion criteria. Donkeys were housed

117

indoor in the animal house at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,

118

Mansoura University, Egypt on April, 2018 and received no exercise on the day of each

119

examination. The nutrition regimen for all donkeys under investigation was maintenance balanced

120

mixed ration containing chopped wheat straw ad libitum, 075 – 3.5 kg of bran and 0.75 – 3.5 kg of

121

crushed corn and supplemented by trace elements and minerals mixture according to age of the

122

donkey. During the entire experiment, all donkeys were kept under the same management and

123

feeding practices and close veterinary supervision. All the institutional and national guidelines for

124

animals use and care were followed as outlined by the Medical Research Ethics Committee,

125

Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt, code No. R/10.

126 127

2.2. Echocardiographic examination

128

All the examined donkeys were at rest, calm, physically restrained only by halter, and didn't

129

receive any sedative or tranquilizing agents during the examination time. The cardiac examination

130

area the right side of the chest; area between the 3rd and the 5th intercostal space just caudal to the

131

triceps muscle mass, and 3 – 5 cm below and 5 – 10 cm above the olecranon process, was

132

thoroughly clipped, shaved and cleaned with alcohol. Acoustic Coupling gel was applied at the

133

examination area to enhance the contact with the probe. B-mode and 2 dimensional (2D) guided M-

134

mode echocardiography was performed according to standard method [14] and the recommendations

135

of the American Society of Echocardiography [15]. For echocardiographic examination, a 2.5 MHz

136

phased array transducer (CHISON D3P64L) (Chison iVis 60 EXPERT Color Doppler Ultrasound,

137

Chison Medical Imaging Co, China) was used. In the fourth or fifth intercostal space at the level of

138

olecranon process, the transducer was positioned, adjusted, clockwise rotated, and slightly directed

6

139

cranially and / or dorsally to get the required standard image. The right parasternal long axis four-

140

chamber apical view was used to obtain the images of B-mode echocardiography. However, the

141

guided M-mode echocardiography was obtained using the right parasternal short axis view. Once the

142

standard imaging plane was reached, Cube method was used to evaluate the echocardiographic

143

dimensions list and Teichholz method was used to assess the cardiac function indices. For each

144

donkey, the assessed echocardiographic dimensions and cardiac function indices were conducted 3

145

times in a single batch on the same day of examination, which is necessary to calculate the intra-

146

assay coefficient of variation. These measurements were conducted for each donkey on 3 different

147

days, in separate batches, which is required to calculate the inter-assay coefficient of variation. Each

148

time of echocardiography, three non-consecutive cardiac cycles were measured and the average

149

value for each variable was obtained. All echocardiographic examinations were done after at 9:00

150

AM and were carried out by one trained examiner and revised again by two experts to avoid any

151

individual variations.

152 153

2.3. Echocardiographic views and measurement of cardiac dimensions and cardiac function indices

154

Routine transthoracic B-mode and 2D-guided M-mode echocardiography were performed to

155

measure the echocardiographic dimensions list as well as the cardiac function indices.

156

Echocardiographic examinations began using B-mode echocardiography, with the creation of

157

sectional planes, evaluating the morphology and movement of the structures of the heart in a global

158

way. The B-mode echocardiographic image was obtained using the right parasternal long axis four-

159

chamber view (Figure 1) according to Reef et al. [5]; Youssef et al. [14]; Reef [16]. After that, by

160

rotating the transducer through 90 0 angle in a clockwise direction with a slight cranial and/or dorsal

161

angulation, the right parasternal short-axis view at the chordal level was obtained observing the

7

162

symmetry of the papillary muscles as well as the shape of the left ventricle. In this view, M-mode

163

was then selected to obtain the 2D-guided M-mode of the short-axis view of the left ventricle at the

164

level of chordae tendinae when the M-mode cursor bisected the left ventricle, and intersected both

165

the interventricular septum and left ventricular free wall in a 90 0 angle, positioning the beam over

166

this line (Figure 2) according to the method described by Vajhi et al. [4]; Reef et al. [5]; Youssef et

167

al. [14]. Both B-mode and guided M-mode echocardiography were performed for measurement of

168

the interventricular septum thickness at end-diastole (IVSd), the interventricular septum thickness at

169

end-systole (IVSs), the left ventricle internal diameter at end diastole (LVIDd), the left ventricle

170

internal diameter at end systole (LVIDs), left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-systole

171

(LVPWs) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness at end-diastole (LVPWd) by using the Cube

172

method [17-22]. However, the use of Teichholz method in both B-mode and guided M-mode

173

echocardiography enables calculation of the left ventricular volume at end-diastole (EDV) and at

174

end-systole (ESV) [23], stroke volume (SV) and fractional shortening (FS) [24], and ejection

175

fraction (EF) [24].

176 177

2.4. Statistical analysis

178

All statistical procedures were performed with commercially available software (GraphPad

179

Prism for Windows version 5.0; GraphPad Software Inc., CA, USA). To assess the normality of

180

distribution of the B-mode and guided M-mode echocardiographic data, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov

181

normality test was conducted, and these data were normally distributed. The frequency distribution

182

and the summary statistics (mean ± SD, 95% CI, median (range), and 10th, 25th, 75th, and 90th

183

percentiles) of the B-mode and guided M-mode echocardiographic measurements of the selected

184

donkeys were calculated. The repeatability of the B-mode and guided M-mode echocardiographic

8

185

measurements was estimated by calculating the intra-assay CV. For each of the 3 days, the data were

186

collected and the inter-assay CV was calculated by dividing the SD of the measurement by the mean

187

of the same measurement. CV < 15% was classified as low variability, CV 15–25% as moderate

188

variability and CV > 25% as high variability [25]. Linear regression was performed to explore the

189

association between sets of variables, including age, body weight and body condition scores (BCSs),

190

on B-mode and guided M-mode echocardiographic data. P < .05 was accepted as representing

191

statistical significance for such test.

192 193

3. Results

194

All the selected donkeys were considered to be healthy on the basis of complete cardiac check. The

195

recorded heart rate during echocardiographic examination was within the normal range values 29 –

196

50 beats / minute (mean ± SD 38.75 ± 5.51). The documented respiratory rate was also within

197

normal range values 14 – 20 respiratory cycles / minute (mean ± SD 17.34 ± 1.66). There was no

198

statistically significant difference between the selected geldings and the selected females in the age

199

(P = .132), bodyweight (P = .104), heart rate (P = .118), and respiratory rate (P = -.586).

200

The obtained echocardiographic image from the right parasternal long axis four-chamber view,

201

showed the right ventricle, aorta, left atrium, left ventricle and left ventricular outflow tract (Figure

202

1). Meanwhile, the right parasternal short-axis view at the chordal level displayed the right ventricle,

203

left ventricle, interventricular septum, left ventricular free wall, anterior and posterior papillary

204

muscles, and the chordae tendinae, but and the leaflets of mitral valve were not visible. In this

205

recorded view, the interventricular septum, the right ventricle, the left ventricle, and the free wall of

206

the left ventricle were bisected at right angle and the left ventricle appeared to be circular. The 2D-

207

guided M-mode echocardiographic image, obtained from right parasternal short axis view, was a

9

208

true short-axis view of the left ventricle, and its lumen was large without the inclusion of the mitral

209

valve (Figure 2).

210

Regarding the frequency distribution of B-mode echocardiography in clinically healthy

211

donkeys, the highest frequency of B-mode echocardiographic dimensions was ≥ 16 – 18 mm for

212

IVSTd, ≥ 20 – 22 mm for IVSTs, ≥ 44 – 46 mm for LVIDd, ≥ 28 – 30 mm for LVIDs, ≥ 20 – 22 mm

213

for LVPWd, ≥ 22 – 24 mm for LVPWs. Meanwhile, highest frequency of the cardiac function

214

indices was ≥ 200 – 205 ml for EDV, ≥ 60 – 70 ml for ESV, ≥ 40 – 50 ml for SV, ≥ 70 – 75 % for

215

EF, and ≥ 32 – 39 % for FS (Tables 1).

216

Concerning the results of B-mode echocardiographic parameters in the examined donkeys, the

217

mean ± SD of the cardiac dimensions was as follows: IVSTd (mm) 18.5 ± 3.6, IVSTs (mm) 23.5 ±

218

3.8, LVIDd (mm) 42.7 ± 6.6, LVIDs (mm) 25.5 ± 6.3, LVPWd (mm) 24.2 ± 4.6, LVPWs (mm) 22.5

219

± 4.5. However, the mean ± SD of cardiac function indices was as follows: EDV (ml) 202 ± 21.17,

220

ESV (ml) 68.6 ± 6.5, SV (ml) 46.3 ± 8.7, EF (%) 76.1 ± 10.9, FS (%) 39.8 ± 11.4 (Table 2).

221

The intra-assay (Table 3) and inter-assay (Table 4) CV of B-mode echocardiographic

222

dimensions and cardiac function indices in the studied donkeys, the IVSTs, LVIDd, LVIDs, LVPWs,

223

EDV, ESV and EF showed low (CV < 15%) variability. Meanwhile, the IVSTd, LVPWd, SV, and

224

FS showed moderate (CV 15–25%) variability.

225

With regard to the frequency distributions of 2D-guided M-mode echocardiography in clinically

226

healthy donkeys, the highest frequency for echocardiographic parameters were ≥ 1.6 – 1.8 mm for

227

IVSTd, ≥ 2.8 – 3 mm for IVSTs, ≥ 4.5 – 5 mm for LVIDd, ≥ 3 – 3.5 mm for LVIDs, ≥ 2.4 – 2.6 mm

228

for LVPWd, ≥ 2.8 – 3 mm for LVPWs. However, the mean ± SD of cardiac function indices was as

229

follows: ≥ 190 – 195 ml for EDV, ≥ 58 – 65 ml for ESV, ≥ 50 – 53 ml for SV, ≥ 74 – 76 % for EF,

230

and ≥ 64 – 48 % for FS (Tables 5).

10

231

Concerning the results of the 2D-guided M-mode echocardiographic parameters in the studied

232

donkeys, the mean ± SD of the cardiac dimensions was as follows: IVSTd (mm) 1.4 ± 0.4, IVSTs

233

(mm) 2.8 ± 0.7, LVIDd (mm) 6.1 ± 1.3, LVIDs (mm) 3.5 ± 0.9, LVPWd (mm) 2.8 ± 0.8, LVPWs

234

(mm) 3.2 ± 0.7. Meanwhile, the mean ± SD of cardiac function indices was as follows: EDV (ml)

235

200 ± 16.4, ESV (ml) 63.8 ± 9.32, SV (ml) 75.7 ± 13.9, EF (%) 79.9 ± 6.8, FS (%) 42.3 ± 6.9 (Table

236

6).

237

Concerning intra-assay (Table 7) and inter-assay (Table 8) CV of 2D-guided M-mode

238

echocardiographic measurements in healthy donkeys, the IVSTs, LVIDd, LVIDs, LVPWs, EDV,

239

ESV, SV, EF and FS showed low (CV < 15%) variability. Meanwhile, the IVSTd, and LVPWd

240

showed moderate (CV 15–25%) variability.

241

Linear regression analysis of the data demonstrated that there was non-significant association

242

between B-mode and 2D-guided M-mode echocardiographic variables and sex, age, body weight,

243

and BCS of healthy donkeys (Tables 9,10).

244 245

4. Discussion

246

Since echocardiography is a non-invasive procedure, it can be used efficiently for diagnosis of

247

diseases of the cardiovascular system as well as investigation of the cardiac structures, cardiac

248

dimensions, and cardiac function indices. In ruminants, horses, and pets, the measurement of cardiac

249

chamber dimensions as well as cardiac function indices is a vital tool necessary for assessment of the

250

severity and prognosis of cardiac diseases [26]. Thus, the basic clinical reference values are required

251

to improve identification and assessment of such cardiac diseases allowing an earlier diagnosis and

252

more rapid intervention when facing abnormal echocardiographic findings. In the existing study, the

11

253

morphologic features and function indices of the heart were investigated using B-mode and 2D-

254

guided M-mode echocardiography.

255

In the present study, for both b-mode and guided M-mode echocardiography, the heart was

256

examined from the right parasternal location, using right parasternal long axis four-chamber view

257

and right parasternal short axis view, respectively. Both B-mode and guided M-mode

258

echocardiography were easy to perform and well tolerated in all donkeys, without the need for any

259

sedation or analgesia. Both echocardiographic modes provided valuable information regarding

260

cardiac chamber size and dimension, cardiac wall thickness, systolic function, and valvular

261

structures. Furthermore, high temporal resolution is a characteristic feature of M-mode

262

echocardiography, which makes it a useful tool for estimating the chamber volume as well as left

263

ventricular mass when these structures are geometrically uniform and useful for timing valve motion

264

[27]. The obtained echocardiographic images were in agreement with those reported by Reef et al.

265

[5]; Patteson et al. [17]; Boon [18]; Bakos et al. [19]; Vöros et al. [28].

266

In the examined donkeys, the recorded mean ± SD of both B-mode and guided M-mode

267

echocardiographic dimensions, including IVSTd, IVSTs, LVIDd, LVIDs, LVPWd, and LVPWs and

268

the mean ± SD of cardiac function indices, including EDV, ESV, SV, EF, and FS were almost

269

similar to those recorded [14,29,30]. The intra-assay and inter-assay CV of B-mode and guided M-

270

mode echocardiographic dimensions and cardiac function indices in the studied donkeys, the IVSTs,

271

LVIDd, LVIDs, LVPWs, EDV, ESV and EF showed low (CV < 15%) variability confirming the

272

reliability and uniformity in the values of the recorded data set, while the IVSTd, LVPWd showed

273

moderate (CV 15–25%) variability. However, SV and FS in the guided M-mode echocardiography

274

showed low (CV < 15%) variability compared with those of B-mode echocardiography in which

12

275

they showed moderate variability (CV 15-25%). Thus, the results of SV and FS in guided M-mode

276

echocardiography were reliable and uniform compared to those in B-mode echocardiography.

277

The overall impressions of heart size and function, obtained using B-mode and guided M-mode

278

echocardiography from the obtained views, were similar to those obtained in sedentary donkeys [29-

279

31]. However, it showed some notable differences compared with data generated in another study

280

conducted in Standardbred trotters [19], Endurance horses [9], Quarter horses [8], warm blood

281

horses [2], dogs [32], and human [33,34], which indicate significant differences between species as

282

the length and weight of the heart significantly correlates with weight, height, and athletic

283

performance of individual. In the existing study, B-mode and guided M-mode echocardiographic

284

examination of healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) revealed that both the interventricular septum

285

thickness and the left ventricular posterior free wall were greater during systole than diastole.

286

Meanwhile, the dimension of the left ventricle during diastole was greater than systole. Furthermore,

287

the recorded data of cardiac function indices; including EDV, ESV, SV, EF, and FS using B-mode

288

echocardiography were closer to those recorded by guided M-mode echocardiography. These

289

findings were in agreement with those reported in donkeys [29,30], horses [2,9], dogs [32], human

290

[33,34].

291

The interventricular septum thickness provides a signal about the left ventricular mass that is

292

calculated from the left ventricular free wall thickness, interventricular septum thickness and left

293

ventricular internal diameter. Thus, it is required for evaluation of the left and right ventricular

294

hypertrophy in both human [35] and race horses [36]. The LVIDd and LVIDd are essential to

295

characterize the eccentric hypertrophies in sportsmen [37] and to detect left ventricular overload in

296

cases of valvular insufficiency, regurgitation of mitral and aortic valves or myocardial diseases [38].

297

They are usually increased in exercising horses either as a result of exercise [39] or other

13

298

pathological conditions as aortic valve insufficiency [40]. The LVPWd and LVPWs are essential for

299

investigation of the effects of the training related adaptation, and for detection of left ventricular

300

overload, aortic valve regurgitation, patent ductus arteriosus, and atrial and ventricular septal defect

301

[38]. Cardiac function indices are used to evaluate pumping functions that focus on the ejected blood

302

volume; SV (the difference between the EDV and ESV), the efficiency of ejection; EF, and index to

303

evaluate the strength of myocardial contraction; FS. Thus, EF and FS are indicators of left

304

ventricular systolic function, ventricular compliance and contractibility as well as the cardiac

305

function [36,38]. In heart failure with reduced EF, also called systolic failure, the left ventricle loses

306

its ability to contract normally. Thus, the heart can't pump with enough force to push enough blood

307

into circulation. Meanwhile, heart failure with preserved EF, also called diastolic failure or

308

dysfunction, the left ventricle muscle has become stiff and loses its ability to relax normally. Thus,

309

the heart can't properly fill with blood during the resting period between each beat. In both cases, the

310

cardiac function indices are significantly affected as well as the echocardiographic dimensions.

311

As the donkeys age increases, they gain body weight and both the circumference and the length

312

of the body reach a moderate degree, which does not increase any more with the increasing age of

313

these donkeys. Unlike donkeys, the older the horses are, the greater the body weight and the greater

314

the circumference and length of the body compared to the donkeys of the same age. Fully grown

315

donkey will be around 36 to 54 inches (90- 137 cm) from the withers to the hoof, while horses, on

316

the other hand, are around 56 to 64 inches on average (142 to 163 cm). Thus, the size and

317

dimensions of the heart greatly increase in horses relative to the size and weight of their large body

318

compared to donkeys. This is our suggestion that may explain the non-significant association

319

between B-mode and guided M-mode echocardiographic variables and age, body weight, and BCS

320

of healthy donkeys. Thus, they are not taken into consideration in donkeys when comparing patient

14

321

data with such reference values. These findings were in agreement with those reported by Roberts

322

and Dukes-McEwan [30]. In contrast to data from equine studies, body weight have a significant

323

effect on all echocardiographic dimensions, and also breed have a significant effect on most of them,

324

but not by sex. Furthermore, the age significantly affects only the internal diameter of the aortic and

325

the pulmonary arteries [41]. In human studies, sex, body weight, and age significantly affect the

326

normal heart size. With advancing age, the cardiac chambers seemed to be smaller with thicker walls

327

[42,43]. However, body mass index has no statistical significant influence on echocardiographic

328

variables [44].

329

There are several limitations of this study. First, all studied donkeys were examined in standing

330

position. Diseased donkeys may be in a recumbent position and unable to rise for complete

331

echocardiographic examination. Alternate posture of the donkeys was not investigated in the existing

332

study. Second, the existing study evaluated only standard B-mode and guided M-mode

333

measurements; the authors did not generate reference ranges for spectral Doppler, which may also be

334

important in investigating the effects of diseases. Finally, the used echocardiographic equipment and

335

technical settings in this study were identical for all examinations and the use of other different

336

equipment may increase variability due to differences in resolution and measurement accuracy.

337

In conclusion, echocardiography has been shown to be feasible, repeatable and accurate, and has

338

been demonstrated to be a powerful tool for assessment of the dimensions and function indices of the

339

heart. This study provided new useful reference values of cardiac dimensions and cardiac function

340

indices in healthy donkeys (Equus asinus), considering them normal limits of echocardiographic

341

dimensions and cardiac function indices. Age, body weight, and BCS of healthy donkeys have no

342

effect on the B-mode and guided M-mode echocardiographic variables. Knowing the normal

15

343

parameters of echocardiography facilitates the identification and early diagnosis of cardiac diseases

344

in donkeys, which is considered the first step in managing such problems.

345 346

Conflict of Interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

347 348

Ethical approval: All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care

349

and use of animals were followed.

350 351

5. References

352

[1] Gazi MA, Makhdoomi DM, Abbas HY, Parrah JD, Ganai AM, et al. Advances of

353 354 355 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363

Echocardiography in Equines Practice - A Review. J Veterinar Sci Technol 2015; 6: 228. [2] Sabev SP. Cardiac structures measurements by echocardiography in clinically healthy warm blood horses. Bulg J Vet Med 2014; 17: 267 – 75. [3] Boon JA. Evaluation of size, function, and hemodynamics. Veterinary echocardiography. 2nd Ed. Ames. Iowa: Wiley-Blackwell; 2011. [4] Vajhi A. Normal pulsed wave Doppler echocardiographic parameters of Turkmen horses of Iran. Iranian Journal of Veterinary Research 2013; 14: 42 – 9. [5] Reef VB, Whittier M, Griswold L. Echocardiography. Clinical Techniques in Equine Practice 2004; 3: 274 – 83. [6] King AM. Development, advances and applications of diagnostic ultrasound in animals. The Veterinary Journal 2006; 171: 408 – 20.

16

364

[7] Rovira S, Muñoz A. Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic measurements and

365

indices of cardiac function in Spanish colts and fillies of different age. Journal of Veterinary

366

Medical Science 2009; 71: 957 – 64.

367 368

[8] Bonomo CL, Michima PM, Fernandes W. Quantitative echocardiography of athletic Quarter Horses. Ars Veterinaria 2011; 27: 220 – 5.

369

[9] Michima LES, Latorre SM, Andrade AF, Fernandes WR. B-mode and M-mode

370

echocardiography of endurance horses raised in sõo Paulo state, Brazil. J Equine Vet Sci 2004;

371

24: 451 – 7.

372

[10] Schwarzwald CC, Schober KE, Bonagura JD. Methods and reliability of echocardiographic

373

assessment of left atrial size and mechanical function in horses. Am J Vet Res 2007; 68: 735 –

374

47.

375

[11] Kaddoura S. ECHO made easy. 2nd ed. China: Churchill Living Stone, Elseiver; 2009.

376

[12] Darbandi Azar A, Tavakoli F, Moladoust H, Zare A, Sadeghpour A. Echocardiographic

377

evaluation of cardiac function in ischemic rats: value of m-mode echocardiography. Res

378

Cardiovasc Med 2014; 3:e22941.

379

[13] Constable PD, Hinchcliff KW, Done SH, Grünberg W. Metabolic and Endocrine Diseases. In:

380

Veterinary Medicine: A textbook of the diseases of cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and goats. 11th

381

Edn: Missouri, United States: Elsevier Ltd., 2017: 1662–757.

382

[14] Youssef MA, Ibrahim HM, Farag EMM, El-Khodery SA. Effects of tilmicosin

383

phosphate administration on echocardiographic parameters in healthy donkeys (Equus

384

asinus): An experimental study. J Equine Vet Sci 2016; 38: 24 – 9.

385

[15] Schiller NB, Shah PM, Crawford M, DeMaria A, Devereux R, Feigenbaum H, Gutgesell H,

386

Reichek N, Sahn D, Schnittger I, et al. Recommendations for quantitation of the left ventricle by

17

387

two-dimensional echocardiography. American Society of Echocardiography Committee on

388

Standards, Subcommittee on Quantitation of Two-Dimensional Echocardiograms. J Am Soc

389

Echocardiogr. 1989; 2: 358 – 67.

390 391

[16] Reef VB. Cardiovascular Ultrasonography. In: Reef VB, editors. Equine diagnostic ultrasound, Philadelphia: W. B. Saunders; 1998, p. 215 – 72.

392

[17] Patteson M, Gibbs C, Wotton P. Echocardiographic measurements of cardiac dimensions and

393

indices of cardiac function in normal adult thoroughbred horses. Eq Vet J Suppl 1995; 19: 18 –

394

27.

395 396

[18] Boon J. Evaluation of size, function, and hemodynamics. In: Boon J, ediators. Manual of veterinary echocardiography; Baltimore: Williams & Wilkins; 1998, p.151 – 260.

397

[19] Bakos Z, Voros K, Jarvinen T. Two-dimensional and M-mode echocardiographic

398

measurements of cardiac dimensions in healthy Standardbred trotters. Acta Vet Hung 2002; 50:

399

273 – 82.

400

[20] Long KJ, Young LE, Utting JE, Jones RS, Darke PGG. Determinati-on of cardiac output in the

401

standing horse by Doppler echocardiography and thermodilution. Proceedings of the 30th Equine

402

Veterinary Association Congress, Cambridge; 1991, p. 30 – 1.

403 404 405 406

[21] Long KJ, Bonagura JD, Darke PG. Standardised imaging technique for guided M-mode and Doppler echocardiography in horses. Equine Vet J 1992; 24: 226 – 35.

[22] Bilal T, Meral Y. M-mode echocardiographs of endurance horses in the recovery phase of long distance competition. Am J Vet Res 2000; 26: 337 – 44.

407

[23] Hanton G, Geffray B, Lodola A. Echocardiography, non-invasive method for the investigation

408

of heart morphology and function in laboratory dogs: 1-method and reference values for M-

409

mode parmeters. Lab Animal 1998; 32: 173 – 82. 18

410

[24] Kienle RD, Thomas WD. Physical principles, instrumentation and safety of diagnostic

411

ultrasonography. In: Small Animal Diagnostic Ultrasound, 2nd Ed., Saunders: Philadelphia;

412

2002, p. 354 – 423.

413

[25] Slack J, Durandot MM, Belcher CN, Collins N, Palmer L, Ousey J, Birks EK, Marr

414

CM. Intraoperator, intraobserver and interoperator variability of echocardiographic

415

measurements in healthy foals. Equine Vet J 2012;44:69 – 75.

416

[26] Belanger M: Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine. In C: Echocardiography.

417

Seventhth edition. Edited by Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC. St. Louis, Missouri: Saunders

418

Elsevier; 2010, p.415 – 31.

419

[27] Gottdiener JS, Bednarz J, Devereux R, Gardin J, Klein A, Manning WJ, Morehead A,

420

Kitzman D, Oh J, Quinones M, Schiller NB, Stein JH, Weissman NJ. American

421

Society of Echocardiography recommendations for use of echocardiography in clinical

422

trials. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2004;17:1086 – 119.

423 424

[28] Vöros K, Holmes JR, Gibbs C. Measurement of cardiac dimensions with two-dimensional echocardiography in the living horse. Equine Vet J 1991; 26: 461 – 5.

425

[29] Amory H, Bertrand P, Delvaux V, Sandersen C. Doppler echocardiographic reference values in

426

healthy donkeys. In: Matthews NS & Taylor TS. Veterinary care of donkeys. 2nd Ed., Ithaca:

427

New York, USA; 2004.

428 429 430 431

[30] Roberts SL, Dukes-McEwan J. Echocardiographic reference ranges for sedentary donkeys in the UK. Vet Rec 2016; 179: 332. [31] Delvaux V, Kirschvink N, Amory H, Busoni V, Art T, Lekeux P. Spécificités de la fonction cardiorespiratoire de l’âne (Equus asinus). Pratique Vétérinaire Équine 2001; 33, 21– 8.

19

432 433

[32] Crippa L, Ferro E, Melloni E, Brambilla P, Cavalletti E. Echocardiographic parameters and indices in the normal Beagle dog. Lab Animal 1992; 26: 190 – 5.

434

[33] Prajapati D, Sharma D, Baidya S.G, Shakya U, Shrestha N. Normal Echocardiographic

435

Parameters of Healthy Adult Individuals working in National Heart Centre. Nepal Heart Journal

436

2012; 9: 3 – 6.

437 438 439 440

[34] Sadeghpour A, Shahrabi M, Bakhshandeh H, Naderi N. Normal Echocardiographic Values of 368 Iranian Healthy Subjects. Arch Cardiovasc Imaging 2013; 1: 72 – 9. [35] Opie LH. Overload hypertrophy and its molecular biology. In, Opie LH (Ed): Heart Physiology: From Cell to Circulation. Lippincott-Raven, Philadelphia; 1998, p. 391 – 418.

441

[36] Young L, Rogers K, Wood JLN. Left ventricular size and systolic function in thoroughbred

442

racehorses and their relationships to race performance. J Appl Physiol 2005; 99: 1278 – 85.

443

[37] Dzudie A, Menanga A, Hamadou B, Kengne AP, Atchou G, Kingue S. Ultrasonographic study

444

of left ventricular function at rest in a group of highly trained black African handball players.

445

Eur J Echocardiography 2007; 8: 122 – 7.

446 447

[38] Rovira S, Muñoz A, Rodilla V. Allometric scaling of echocardiographic measurements in healthy Spanish foals with diff rent body weight. Res Vet Sci 2009; 86: 325 – 31.

448

[39] Zucca E, Ferrucci F, Croci C, Di Fabio V, Zaninelli M, Ferro E. Echo-cardiographic

449

measurements of cardiac dimensions in normal Standard-bred racehorses. J Vet Cardiol 2008;

450

10: 45 – 51.

451 452

[40] Voros K. Quantitative two-dimensional echocardiography in the horse: A review. Acta Vet Hung 1997; 45: 127 – 36.

20

453

[41] Al-Haidar A, Farnir F, Deleuze S, Sandersen CF, Leroux AA, Borde L, Cerri S, Amory H.

454

Effect of breed, sex, age and body weight on echocardiographic measurements in the equine

455

species. Res Vet Sci 2013; 95:255 – 60.

456

[42] Feigenbaum H. Appendix B. Normal echocardiographic measurements from infancy to old age.

457

In Echocardiography. 5th ed. Ed H. Feigenbaum. philadelphia: Lea & Febiger; 1994, p. 659 –

458

65.

459

[43] Kou S, Caballero L, Dulgheru R, Voilliot D, De Sousa C, Kacharava G, et al.

460

Echocardiographic reference ranges for normal cardiac chamber size: results from the NORRE

461

study. Eur Heart J Cardiovasc Imaging 2014; 15: 680 – 90.

462

[44] Pfaffenberger S, Bartko P, Graf A, Pernicka E, Babayev J, Lolic E, Bonderman D, Baumgartner

463

H, Maurer G, Mascherbauer J. Size matters! Impact of age, sex, height, and weight on the

464

normal heart size. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2013; 6:1073 – 9.

465 466

Figure legend

467

Figure 1. Standard echocardiographic view for assessment of left ventricular size and function.

468

Right parasternal long axis four-chamber view centered on the left ventricle. The transducer is

469

positioned in the right fourth intercostal space at the level of or slightly dorsal to olecranon process,

470

angled caudally, and rotated in clockwise direction to the 1 o’clock position. RV, right ventricle,

471

IVS, interventricular septum, LV; left ventricle; LA; left atrium; Ao, aorta.

472

Figure 2. Standard echocardiographic view for assessment of left ventricular size and function. 2D

473

guided M-mode image of the left ventricle obtained from a right-parasternal short-axis view at the

474

chordal level.

475

21

Table 1. Frequency distribution (% of study population) of B-mode echocardiographic dimensions and cardiac function indices in clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) (n = 44) Highest frequency Variables

Lowest frequency

Value

No (%)

Value

No (%)

IVSTd(mm)

≥ 16 – 18

38 (42.2 %)

≥ 26 – 28

4 (4.4 %)

IVSTs (mm)

≥ 20 – 22

36 (40 %)

≥ 32 – 34

2 (2.2 %)

LVIDd (mm)

≥ 44 – 46

22 (24.4 %)

≥ 58 – 60

4 (4.4 %)

LVIDs (mm)

≥ 28 – 30

24 (26.7 %)

≥ 40 – 42

2 (2.2 %)

LVPWd (mm)

≥ 20 – 22

32 (35.6 %)

≥ 32 – 34

6 (6.7 %)

LVPWs (mm)

≥ 22 – 24

36 (40 %)

≥ 32 – 34

6 (6.7 %)

EDV (ml)

≥ 200 – 205

32 (35.6 %)

≥ 166 – 171

10 (11.1 %)

ESV (ml)

≥ 60 – 70

38 (42.2 %)

≥ 35 – 41

8 (8.88 %)

SV (ml)

≥ 40 – 50

46 (51.1 %)

≥ 60 – 70

4 (4.4 %)

EF (%)

≥ 70 – 75

42 (46.7 %)

≥ 95 – 100

8 (8.9 %)

FS (%)

≥ 32 – 39

46 (51.1 %)

≥ 55 – 57

2 (2.2 %)

Table 2. Summary statistics of B-mode echocardiographic dimensions and cardiac function indices in clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) (n = 44) Percentile Median (range)

Mean ± SD

95% CI

Median (range) 10%

25%

75%

90%

IVSTd (mm)

18.5 ± 3.6

17.7 – 19.2

18.1 (12.4 – 26.6)

13.8

15.5

21.2

23.3

IVSTs (mm)

23.5 ± 3.8

22.7 – 24.3

23.2 (16.6 – 32.6)

19.1

20.2

26.9

28.4

LVIDd (mm)

42.7 ± 6.6

41.3 – 44.1

42.7 (30.9 – 58.2)

33.6

38.2

46.7

51.2

LVIDs (mm)

28.5 ± 3.9

24.2 – 26.8

25.3 (11.7 – 40.7)

19.2

21.4

29.6

32.7

LVPWd (mm)

22.5 ± 3.9

21.5 – 23.4

22.2 (14.6 – 32.9)

15.7

19.7

24.9

29.3

LVPWs (mm)

25.2 ± 3.6

23.2 – 25.1

23.9 (15.9 – 33.1)

17.8

21.3

27.7

30.2

EDV (ml)

202 ± 21.17

193.3– 210.8

205 (166– 237)

170.6

180

221.5

227.6

ESV (ml)

68.6 ± 6.5

56.19 – 67.12

66.5 (35 – 78)

38

55.25

71.25

73.6

SV (ml)

46.3 ± 8.7

44.5 – 48.2

46.7 (30.2 – 65.7)

32.8

41.5

52.2

56.8

EF (%)

76.1 ± 10.9

73.8 – 78.4

75 (42 – 96)

64

68.8

84

92

FS (%)

39.8 ± 8.4

37.5 – 42.2

37 (16 – 50)

29

32

46

50

Table 3. Intra-assay coefficient of variation of B-mode echocardiographic dimensions and cardiac function indices in clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) (n = 44) Percentile Median (range)

Mean ± SD

95% CI

Median (range) 10%

25%

75%

90%

IVSTd (mm)

18.8 ± 7.8

15.9 – 21.7

19.9 (7.5 - 33.2)

9.8

11.5

24.8

31.9

IVSTs (mm)

14.8 ± 9.5

11.3 – 18.3

14.4 (1.1 - 37.3)

4.2

6.4

20.8

26.7

LVIDd (mm)

11.5 ± 6.1

9.2 – 13.7

11.7 (3.2 - 27.1)

3.9

6.1

13.7

18.4

LVIDs (mm)

12.9 ± 7.2

10.3 – 15.6

12.4 (4.4 - 30.8)

4.4

6.9

17.9

22.5

LVPWd (mm)

16.7 ± 11.1

12.6 – 20.9

12.5 (2.9 - 35.2)

4.6

7.2

24.9

34.5

LVPWs (mm)

12.8 ± 9.1

9.4 – 16.1

11.4 (2.2 - 34.9)

3.1

5.2

19.1

24.4

EDV (ml)

11.7 ± 6.4

9.3 – 14.1

10.4 (4.4 – 25.5)

4.5

6.4

17.9

21.2

ESV (ml)

11.1 ± 8.8

13.8 – 18.3

18.9 (2.0 – 27.5)

7.3

8.6

21.6

26.5

SV (ml)

16.1 ± 9.7

12.5 – 19.8

18.4 (4.0 – 30.5)

4.0

5.8

25.6

26.8

EF (%)

10.5 ± 8.3

7.4 – 13.6

8.6 (0.6 - 36.6)

3.4

5.6

14.5

15.5

FS (%)

18.3 ± 12.8

13.6 – 23.1

16.4 (3.1 - 57)

5.7

9.4

25.4

27.1

Table 4. Inter-assay coefficient of variation of B-mode echocardiographic dimensions and cardiac function indices in clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) (n = 44) Percentile Median (range)

Mean ± SD

95% CI

Median (range) 10%

25%

75%

90%

IVSTd (mm)

15.8 ± 7.4

12.9 – 18.5

15.6 (1.7 - 28.2)

2.1

12.2

22.4

24.6

IVSTs (mm)

13.6 ± 6.2

11.3 – 15.9

14.5 (3.1 - 23.9)

4.6

9.5

17.9

23.1

LVIDd (mm)

15.1 ± 5.1

13.2 – 17.1

14.7 (7.1 - 23.4)

8.7

11.1

19.4

22.4

LVIDs (mm)

13.7 ± 8.4

19.8 – 28.4

23.7 (1.4 - 38.9)

3.3

21.2

32

36.3

LVPWd (mm)

17.3 ± 5.7

17.9 – 24.4

22.2 (8.9 - 36.1)

11.6

12.6

24.4

34.1

LVPWs (mm)

14.2 ± 8.1

14.2 – 21.1

16.4 (5.4 - 34.8)

6.6

9.1

25.9

31.6

EDV (ml)

13.1 ± 6.2

10.8 – 15.4

11.9 (5.3 - 26.1)

5.6

7.2

20

20.6

ESV (ml)

13.3 ± 7.9

13.3 – 19.2

20.1 (2.6 – 27.9)

4.2

8.0

22.2

23.1

SV (ml)

16.4 ± 9.1

12.9 – 19.8

16.7 (4.8 – 36.5)

5.3

8.3

24.9

27.9

EF (%)

14.4 ± 6.9

11.8 – 16.9

12.5 (4.8 - 33.1)

6.6

10.1

18.3

20.3

FS (%)

21.1 ± 9.1

22.3 – 32

30.5 (8.7 - 46.6)

10.4

15.9

46.6

44.3

Table 5. Frequency distribution (% of study population) of 2 dimensional guided Mmode echocardiographic dimensions and cardiac function indices in clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) (n = 44) Highest frequency variables

Lowest frequency

Value

No (%)

Value

No (%)

IVSTd(mm)

≥ 1.6 – 1.8

44 (48.9 %)

≥ 3 – 3.2

2 (2.2 %)

IVSTs (mm)

≥ 2.8 – 3

26 (28.9 %)

≥ 5.8 – 6

2 (2.2 %)

LVIDd (mm)

≥ 4.5 – 5

24 (26.7 %)

≥ 9 – 9.5

2 (2.2 %)

LVIDs (mm)

≥ 2.6 – 2.9

36 (40 %)

≥ 6.5 – 7

2 (2.2 %)

LVPWd (mm)

≥ 2.4 – 2.6

34 (37.8 %)

≥ 5.8 – 6

2 (2.2 %)

LVPWs (mm)

≥ 2.8 – 3

24 (26.7 %)

≥ 5 – 5.2

2 (2.2 %)

EDV (ml)

≥ 190 – 195

26 (28.8 %)

≥ 173 – 178

6 (6.7 %)

ESV (ml)

≥ 58 – 65

28 (31.1 %)

≥ 39 – 42

4 (4.4 %)

SV (ml)

≥ 50 – 53

66 (28.9 %)

≥ 46 – 48

2 (2.2 %)

EF (%)

≥ 74 – 76

18 (20 %)

≥ 80 – 82

8 (8.9 %)

FS (%)

≥ 41 – 43

16 (17.8 %)

≥ 56 – 58

2 (2.2 %)

Table 6. Summary statistics of 2 dimensional guided M-mode echocardiographic dimensions and cardiac function indices in clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) (n = 44) Percentile Median (range)

Mean ± SD

95% CI

Median (range) 10%

25%

75%

90%

IVSTd (mm)

1.7 ± 0.4

1.6 – 1.9

1.7 (1.1 – 3.1)

1.2

1.5

1.9

2.2

IVSTs (mm)

2.9 ± 0.4

2.7 – 2.9

2.8 (1.9 – 5.8)

2.1

2.4

3.1

3.5

LVIDd (mm)

6.1 ± 0.8

5.8 – 6.3

6.1 (3.8 – 9.1)

4.4

4.9

7.1

7.7

LVIDs (mm)

3.7 ± 0.5

3.3 – 3.7

3.3 (2.1 – 6.5)

2.4

2.6

3.9

4.8

LVPWd (mm)

2.8 ± 0.5

2.6 – 2.9

2.7 (1.5 – 5.9)

1.9

2.4

3.1

3.7

LVPWs (mm)

3.6 ± 0.4

3.1 – 3.3

3.1 (1.9 – 5.1)

2.2

2.8

3.7

3.9

EDV (ml)

200 ± 16.4

193 – 207

198 (173 – 235)

179

189

210

226

ESV (ml)

63.8 ± 9.32

54.9 – 66.7

64 (39 – 78)

42

48

70

76

SV (ml)

54.7 ± 3.1

52.5 – 56.9

54.9 (50.8 – 58.6)

50.84

51.50

57.80

85.52

EF (%)

79.9 ± 6.8

78.5 – 81.4

82 (67 – 91)

70

74

85.3

89

FS (%)

42.3 ± 5.5

40.9 – 43.8

43 (31 – 56)

33

36

47.3

52

Table 7. Intra-assay coefficient of variation of 2 dimensional guided M-mode echocardiographic dimensions and cardiac function indices in clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) (n = 44) Percentile Median (range)

Mean ± SD

95% CI

Median (range) 10%

25%

75%

90%

IVSTd (mm)

17.8 ± 8.3

14.7 – 20.9

16.7 (8.6 – 39.8)

8.6

10.7

21.3

29.6

IVSTs (mm)

14.7 ± 11.9

10.2 – 19.2

10.1 ( 4.1 – 50.5)

5.1

8.6

23.4

27.7

LVIDd (mm)

12.9 ± 6.7

10.1 – 15.1

11.9 ( 3 – 26.3)

6.9

7.3

16.2

25.4

LVIDs (mm)

13.9 ± 8.4

10.8 – 17.1

12.7 (3.7 – 31.6)

4.5

6.3

21.1

21.9

LVPWd (mm)

18.4 ± 8.6

18.2 – 24.6

20.9 (7.4 – 38.9)

11.4

14.5

25.8

42.9

LVPWs (mm)

14.9 ± 9.8

11.2 – 18.6

12.8 (3.4 – 37.3)

4.9

6.8

16.8

35.6

EDV (ml)

10.8 ± 5.6

8.7 – 12.9

11.0 (0.6 – 20.9)

3.1

6.9

15.5

18.5

ESV (ml)

12.2 ± 9.9

13.5 – 18.9

14.2 (5.5 – 35.4)

8.01

11.5

18.6

25.7

SV (ml)

7.13 ± 2.1

12.8 – 18.1

13.8 (7.5 – 35.3)

8.3

9.6

19.7

22.9

EF (%)

6.2 ± 2.9

5.1 – 7.3

7.6 (2.3 – 10.3)

2.3

2.9

8.8

10.3

FS (%)

11.7 ± 5.2

9.8 – 13.6

12.6 (5.1 – 20.7)

5.1

6

15.8

17.9

Table 8. Inter-assay coefficient of variation of 2 dimensional guided M-mode echocardiographic dimensions and cardiac function indices in clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) (n = 44) Percentile Median (range)

Mean ± SD

95% CI

Median (range) 10%

25%

75%

90%

IVSTd (mm)

19 ± 9.3

15.5 – 22.5

17.9 (4.7 – 35.1)

5.3

11.9

22.9

34.5

IVSTs (mm)

13.7 ± 5.5

14.9 – 20.6

15.8 (1.6 – 43.8)

10.5

14.1

20.6

32.0

LVIDd (mm)

13.7 ± 8.7

16.3 – 22.7

17.8 (5.1 – 33.8)

12.8

20.1

27.1

30.3

LVIDs (mm)

13.5 ± 6.1

18.4 – 22.9

17.2 (15.6 – 34.9)

15.8

19.9

31.4

34.2

LVPWd (mm)

17.9 ± 8.2

17.6 – 25.9

17.1 (9.1 – 43.4)

11.7

14.3

31.9

42.9

LVPWs (mm)

11.5 ± 5.6

14.9 – 20.6

14.3 (9.8 – 30.5)

9.9

13.3

25.5

28.6

EDV (ml)

11.9 ± 6.9

9.4 – 14.5

13.6 (0.7 – 24.7)

0.7

6.7

16.4

21.2

ESV (ml)

12.5 ± 8.1

12.4 – 16.5

15.6 (3.1 – 23.8)

4.1

7.9

22.7

24.3

SV (ml)

7.13 ± 2.3

13.8 – 17.8

16.4 (7.9 – 27.2)

10.2

10.7

20.6

21.4

EF (%)

8.8 ± 3.5

7.4 – 10.1

8.4 (3.2 – 15.3)

3.6

6.4

11.9

13.2

FS (%)

13.1 ± 3.4

13.5 – 18.2

14.2 (5.9 – 25.5)

8.3

12.1

20.5

24.3

Table 9. Association between B-mode echocardiographic parameters and sex, age, body weight and body condition score in clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) (n = 44) Sex

Age

BWt

BCS

P-value

P-value

P-value

P-value

0.396 0.734 0.371 0.287 0.154 0.269 0.533 0.430 0.351 0.266 0.621

0.904 0.363 0.465 0.716 0.629 0.724 0.246 0.398 0.304 0.920 0.913

0.725 0.193 0.530 0.687 0.696 0.623 0.360 0.478 0.274 0.556 0.846

0.659 0.831 0.181 0.681 0.961 0.652 0.546 0.144 0.862 0.499 0.145

B-mode variables IVSTd (mm) IVSTs (mm) LVIDd (mm) LVIDs (mm) LVPWd (mm) LVPWs (mm) EDV (ml) ESV (ml) SV (ml) EF (%) FS (%)

P value < 0.05 indicates a significant correlation. BWt, Body weight; BCS, Body condition score.

Table 10. Association between 2 dimensional guided M-mode echocardiographic variable and sex, age, body weight and body condition score in clinically healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) (n = 44) Sex

Age

BWt

BCS

P-value

P-value

P-value

P-value

0.432 0.521 0.211 0.152 0.221 0.311 0.401 0.316 0.241 0.125 0.415

0.298 0.131 0.320 0.203 0.194 0936 0.639 0.402 0.751 0.451 0.364

0.319 0.158 0.400 0.328 0.245 0.946 0.717 0.484 0.922 0.637 0.548

0.130 0.997 0.994 0.154 0.673 0.942 0.904 0.422 0.185 0.823 0.298

M-mode variables IVSTd (mm) IVSTs (mm) LVIDd (mm) LVIDs (mm) LVPWd (mm) LVPWs (mm) EDV (ml) ESV (ml) SV (ml) EF (%) FS (%)

P value < 0.05 indicates a significant correlation. BWt, Body weight; BCS, Body condition score.

Highlights •



• • •

B-mode and 2D guided M-mode echocardiography was performed for 44 healthy donkeys (Equus asinus) to assess the cardiac dimensions and cardiac function indices. This study reported the reference ranges of the echocardiographic dimensions and cardiac function indices in donkeys (Equus asinus) based on the probability theory and statistics. The interventricular septum thickness and the left ventricular posterior free wall were greater during systole than diastole. The left ventricular dimension during diastole was greater than systole. The assessed cardiac dimensions and cardiac function indices using B-mode echocardiography were closer to those recorded by 2D guided M-mode echocardiography.

Author statement

We affirm that the submission represents original work that has not been published previously and is not currently being considered by another journal. All other Authors have read the manuscript and have agreed to submit it in its current form for consideration for publication. We confirm that the legal and ethical requirements have been met with regards to the humane treatment of animals described in the study This manuscript is the first report the reference values and repeatability of B-mode and M-mode echocardiography in healthy donkey (equus asinus) - the guide to assess healthy heart Thank you for your cooperation and waiting for your response Kind regards Corresponding author Hussam M. M. Ibrahim

Author’s contributions: To qualify as an author one should 1) have made substantial contributions to conception and design, or acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data; 2) have been involved in drafting the manuscript or revising it critically for important intellectual content; 3) have given final approval of the version to be published; and 4) agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work in ensuring that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. We suggest the following kind of format (please use initials to refer to each author's contribution): AB carried out the molecular genetic studies, participated in the sequence alignment and drafted the manuscript. JY carried out the immunoassays. MT participated in the sequence alignment. ES participated in the design of the study and performed the statistical analysis. FG conceived of the study, and participated in its design and coordination and helped to draft the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript. SE: Conceived and designed the experiments, analyzed the data, final revision and submission. MH: Conceived and designed the experiments, and helped to draft the manuscript HI: Performed the experiments, revised the data KA: Performed the experiments RE: drafting the paper Name and signature:

Conflict of Interest statement: The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.