Two-dimensional speckle tracking for quantification of left ventricular circumferential and radial wall motion in horses.
Authors: Decloedt A, Verheyen T, Sys S, De Clercq D, van Loon G
Journal: Equine veterinary journal
Summary
# Editorial Summary: Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking for Equine Cardiac Assessment Decloedt and colleagues evaluated two-dimensional speckle tracking (2DST) as a quantitative tool for measuring left ventricular wall motion in horses, specifically comparing the reliability of circumferential and radial strain measurements obtained at two different short-axis imaging planes (papillary muscle and chordal levels). Using repeated echocardiographic examinations on 10 healthy trotters, the researchers analysed segmental and global peak strain, strain rate, displacement and rotation across six left ventricular wall segments, assessing both inter- and intraobserver variability across multiple days. Averaged systolic circumferential and radial strain measurements, along with global circumferential strain values, demonstrated low variability and proved highly reproducible, whilst radial segmental measurements proved more reliable than circumferential ones; however, early and late diastolic strain rate and systolic rotation showed only moderate consistency, and tracking was frequently inadequate during early diastole. For equine veterinarians and physiotherapists seeking to objectively quantify myocardial function beyond traditional echocardiographic assessment, this work validates 2DST as a feasible clinical tool, particularly for systolic parameters, though operators should recognise the current limitations with diastolic function assessment and understand that imaging plane selection influences timing measurements across the ventricular wall.
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Practical Takeaways
- •2DST provides a non-invasive, reliable method for quantifying left ventricular function in equine patients during routine echocardiographic examination
- •Global and regional circumferential/radial measurements are suitable for clinical application to detect cardiac dysfunction, though radial measurements are more reproducible
- •Early diastolic assessment and rotation measurements require careful interpretation due to moderate variability, suggesting need for operator training and standardization
Key Findings
- •Two-dimensional speckle tracking is feasible for measuring left ventricular circumferential and radial strain at both papillary muscle and chordal levels in horses
- •Averaged systolic circumferential and radial strain, strain rate, and radial displacement measurements showed low variability and good reliability
- •Radial segmental measurements were more reliable than circumferential measurements for assessing left ventricular wall motion
- •Peak timing of wall motion occurred earlier at papillary muscle level compared with chordal level