Use of 2-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography to assess left ventricular systolic function in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome

Background: Early identification of systolic dysfunction in dogs with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) potentially could improve the outcome and decrease mortality. Objective: To compare 2-dimensional speckle tracking (2D-STE) with 2-dimensional (2D) and M-mode echocardiography in the evaluation of systolic function in SIRS dogs. Animals: Seventeen SIRS and 17 healthy dogs. Methods: Prospective observational case-control study. Each dog underwent physical examination, conventional echocardiography, 2D-STE, and C-reactive protein measurement. Results: Dogs with SIRS had lower 2D-STE ejection fraction (X4D-EF; 44 +/- 8 versus 53 +/- 8; P=.003), endocardial global longitudinal strain (ENDO-G-Long-St;-14.6 +/- 3.2 versus -18.5 +/- 4.1; P=.003), and normalized left ventricular diameter in diastole (1.38 +/- 025 versus 1.54 +/- 0.17; P = .04) and systole (0.85 +/- 0.18 versus 0.97 +/- 0.11; P = .03) as compared to healthy dogs. Simpson method of disks (SMOD) right parasternal EF (55 +/- 9 versus 60 +/- 6; P = .07) and end systolic volume index (ESVI; 23 +/- 10 versus 21 +/- 6; P = .61), SMOD left apical EF (59 +/- 9 versus 59 +/- 6; P = .87) and ESVI (20 +/- 8 versus 22 +/- 6; P = .25), fractional shortening (FS; 34 +/- 5 versus 33 +/- 4; P = .39), M-mode EF (64 +/- 7 versus 62 +/- 5; P = .35), and ESVI (23 +/- 11 versus 30 +/- 9; P = .06) were not significantly different between SIRS and control group, respectively. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Speckle tracking X4D-EF and ENDO-G-Long-St are more sensitive than 2D and M- Mode FS, EF, and ESVI in detecting systolic impairment in dogs with SIRS.