Echocardiographic identification of atrial-related structures and vessels in horses validated by computed tomography of casted hearts.
Authors: Vandecasteele T, Cornillie P, van Steenkiste G, Vandevelde K, Gielen I, Vanderperren K, van Loon G
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary Whilst echocardiography remains the first-line imaging modality for equine cardiac assessment, identification of dorsally situated atrial structures and their associated vasculature has received limited attention in the literature. Vandecasteele and colleagues addressed this gap by correlating ultrasound images from ten healthy horses with three-dimensional computed tomography reconstructions of casted equine hearts, enabling precise anatomical correlation between the two imaging modalities. Their work established reproducible ultrasound views and confirmed that key structures—including the cranial and caudal venae cavae, pulmonary arteries and veins with their ostia, intervenous tubercle, oval fossa, and brachiocephalic trunk—could be reliably identified in all examined horses using parasternal approaches optimised for dorsal cardiac visualisation. These findings have meaningful implications for equine practitioners developing greater competency in detailed structural assessment and lay important groundwork for advancing interventional cardiology techniques, including potential catheterisation procedures and targeted therapeutic interventions. Given the anatomical complexity of the equine atrium and the limitations of standard apical-focused echocardiography, this validated approach expands the diagnostic toolkit available to veterinary cardiologists and provides a reference framework for identifying pathological changes in atrial and great vessel anatomy.
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Practical Takeaways
- •Echocardiographers can now reliably identify dorsal atrial structures and major vessels using optimized parasternal views, improving diagnostic capability for cardiac disease in practice
- •Knowledge of these anatomical landmarks and ultrasound approaches is essential for guiding interventional cardiac procedures and advancing therapeutic options in equine cardiology
- •Familiarity with standard and nonstandard ultrasound views will enhance ability to evaluate complex cardiac pathology and perform image-guided interventions
Key Findings
- •Specific atrial anatomical landmarks including vena cava, pulmonary arteries, intervenous tubercle and oval fossa were successfully identified on ultrasound in all 10 healthy horses
- •New standard and nonstandard ultrasound views from parasternal positions allowed visualization of brachiocephalic trunk, pulmonary veins and their ostia
- •3D segmented CT images of casted hearts provided anatomical validation and allowed correct identification of dorsally located cardiac structures on corresponding echocardiographic images
- •Important cardiac structures and vessels could be identified on ultrasound in adult horses, supporting development of interventional cardiology applications