Clinical utility of a new protocol of cardiac computed tomography in dogs

• Published in: Veterinary medicine and science 2023-03, Vol.9 (2), p.645-652
• Main Authors: Kim, Junyoung, Lee, Siheon, Hwang, Jeongyeon, Yoon, Junghee
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anesthesia; Animals; Beta blockers; canine; Computed tomography; Coronary artery; Coronary vessels; DOGS; EKG; Electrocardiography; Electrocardiography - veterinary; Heart; Heart rate; heart tumour; Hospitals, Animal; Medical imaging; Mesothelioma; Original; pericardium; Radiation; Retrospective Studies; Tomography; Tumors; Veins & arteries; Veterinary medicine; Veterinary services
• ISSN: 2053-1095; 2053-1095
• DOI: 10.1002/vms3.985

Objectives The characteristics of non‐electrocardiography‐ and electrocardiography‐gated multidetector computed tomography have not been extensively studied in veterinary clinics but it can be useful for cardiac imaging. This study aimed to ascertain the differences between non‐electrocardiography and electrocardiography gating methods and to establish their clinical utility based on patient history. Methods Six client‐owned dogs (two with patent ductus arteriosus, two with heart base tumour, one with pericardial mesothelioma, and one with normal health) were included in this study. All the dogs were examined using a non‐electrocardiography‐gated scan, followed by a retrospective electrocardiography‐gated scan. Images were reviewed to determine the optimal scan timing and R–R interval in non‐electrocardiography‐ and electrocardiography‐gated images, respectively, for detailed coronary artery imaging, diagnostic quality of the best coronary artery visualisation in non‐electrocardiography‐ and electrocardiography‐gated images through visual assessment of the main coronary artery branches, and branching patterns of the left coronary artery. Further, we compared the size and margin demarcation of the heart or pericardial lesions in non‐electrocardiography‐ and electrocardiography‐gated images obtained from patients with heart or pericardial tumours. Results The optimal scan timing and R–R interval were the second‐scan timing and end‐diastole (70%–90%), respectively. Second‐scan non‐electrocardiography‐gated images allowed coronary artery evaluation, indicating high‐grade quality in visual assessment, except for the septal branch. Electrocardiography‐gated images, but not non‐ECG‐gated images, clearly revealed pericardial nodules in two dogs. Clinical Significance Our findings suggest the respective clinical utilities of non‐electrocardiography‐ or electrocardiography‐gated imaging using high‐slice cardiac computed tomography based on patient history. Non‐ECG‐gated or ECG‐gated high‐slice cardiac CT methods may be applied according to the patient's history. The non‐ECG gating method can be used to evaluate the coronary artery, while the ECG gating method can be used to evaluate intra‐cardiac or pericardial lesions in detail as well as the coronary artery.