ABSTRACT:
This study describes the two-dimensional echocardiographic sections, M-mode cardiac dimensions, and Doppler flow indices in Moxotó goats. A total of 32 Moxotó goats were divided into four equal groups (n = 8) according to body weight class: G1 (5-10 kg), G2 (10-15kg), G3 (15-20kg) and G4 (>20kg). All animals underwent echocardiographic tests, two-dimensional and M-mode, and pulsed (PW), continuous (CW) and color flow (CF) Doppler. The spectral formation of echocardiographic images was satisfactory, although some adjustments were necessary to obtain adequate cuts/sections for goats above 20 kg. One-dimensional echocardiographic parameters (IVSD, IVSS, LVIDd, LVIDs, VPWd, LVPWs) and cardiac function index (EF and FS) showed a positive descriptive correlation with body weight in the categories studied. The septal separation of point E was constant among the weight categories investigated, ranging from 0.1 to 0.41cm. The Em/Am ratio was predominantly “>1”, with Emax> Amax in all weight categories, and not affected by the heart rate among the studied weight classes. The IVRT was also uniform among the studied weight classes. The individual flow rates of the aortic valve were higher than the maximum flow rate of the pulmonary valve. The ejection times of the aortic and pulmonary flows were positively correlated with increasing body weight, something also observed on the VTI of flow spectra, given the direct relationship of this variable with the stroke volume inversely to FC. The acceleration time (AT) of pulmonary blood flow was greater than the aortic flow, and directly related to increasing body weight and inversely with heart rate. Thus, the standardization of Doppler echocardiographic variables in goats, should always consider breed, age and body weight as well as repeatability and reproducibility studies and adoption of individual reference elements for reliable development of normal values.
INDEX TERMS:
Doppler echocardiography; body weight; heart function; heart size; goats
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