Echocardiographic reference values in West Highland White Terriers with special regard to right heart function

The aim of the study was to describe the echocardiographic examination of the right heart and to determine breed-specific echocardiographic reference values (mean 2 SD) of left and right heart dimensions and function in West Highland White Terriers. The study population consisted of 34 clinically and echocardiographically normal dogs. The diameter of the right atrium in systole was 1.69 +/- 0.60 cm and of the right ventricle in diastole 1.63 +/- 0.58 cm. The right ventricular segmental shortening fraction was 35 +/- 14%. The diameter of the pulmonic valve ring was 1.26 +/- 0.34 cm, and the amplitude of the systolic-diastolic motion of the tricuspid annulus measured at the septal hinge point of the valve was 0.88 +/- 0.48 cm and at the lateral hinge point 1.14 +/- 0.44 cm. The mean tricuspid E/A ratio was 1.19 +/- 0.92, and the peak velocity of systolic (S wave), early diastolic (E wave) and late diastolic flow (AR wave) across the right atrial orifice of the caudal vena cava was 0.51 0.32 m/s, 0.51 +/- 0.24 m/s, and 0.26 +/- 0.14 m/s, respectively. The acceleration time of pulmonary artery flow (AT) was 81 +/- 32 ms, the ejection time (ET) was 188 39 ms, and the AT/ET ratio was 0.40 +/- +/- 0.18. Concerning the echocardiographic indices no significant difference (p > 0.05) between female and male animals was found. The reference values described herewith may be used as a basis for the echocardiographic examination of West Highland White Terriers with cardiac disease.