Association between Aortoseptal Angle in Golden Retriever Puppies and Subaortic Stenosis in Adulthood

Abstract

BackgroundPredicting subaortic stenosis (SAS) in adult Golden Retriever dogs (GRs) by evaluating them as puppies is hampered by the progressive expression of the SAS phenotype in youth. In some children who develop SAS as adults, an abnormal aortoseptal angle (AoSA) precedes development of stenosis.ObjectivesTo determine the normal AoSA in young adult GRs using echocardiography; to assess the value of AoSA in GR puppies for predicting development of the SAS phenotype.AnimalsForty‐eight 2‐ to 6‐month‐old GR puppies.MethodsProspective study. Puppies were recruited from clients and breeders. Puppies were evaluated with a physical examination and an echocardiogram, and this evaluation was repeated when they were 12–18‐month‐old adults. Puppies were classified as unaffected (WNL) or affected (SAS) retroactively, based on their results as adults.ResultsIn WNL young adult GRs, mean ± SD AoSA was 152.3 ± 6.5°. Mean ± SD AoSA in SAS puppies (144.9 ± 8.6°) was significantly different from mean AoSA in WNL puppies (155.7 ± 8.8°, P < .01). No puppy with AoSA >160° had the SAS phenotype as a young adult; 93% (75.7–99.1%) of puppies with AoSA <145° had the SAS phenotype as young adults. Peak LVOT velocity increased significantly between evaluations (P < .0001) whereas AoSA did not (P = .45).Conclusion and Clinical SignificanceA steep AoSA in GR puppies is associated with the SAS phenotype in young adulthood. Some GR puppies have an abnormal AoSA that persists in young adulthood and is detectable before peak LVOT velocity reaches levels consistent with SAS.

Echocardiography

“…24,55,92,104,106,128,201,283,365,370,[383][384][385][386][387][388][389][390][391][392] Typical SAS is characterized by a subvalvular ridge or tunnel that develops after birth; this is very evident on TEE examinations. 389,392 Flow and pressure abnormalities in AS can be defined by the continuity equation and the Bernoulli relationship, which were presented earlier in this chapter. 389,392 Flow and pressure abnormalities in AS can be defined by the continuity equation and the Bernoulli relationship, which were presented earlier in this chapter.…”

“…The valve is often mobile and systolic doming might be seen. Other "cutoffs" for the diagnosis of AS in dogs have been proposed, 128,201,392,[394][395][396] including peak velocities exceeding 2.2 m/s, 2.25 m/s and 2.4 m/s. Any RV hypertrophy is generally proportionate to the pressure gradient.…”

Reference intervals for transthoracic echocardiography in the American Staffordshire Terrier

“…Transthoracic echocardiography is the main non-invasive diagnostic tool for evaluating structural heart diseases, and it is crucial for cardiology screening of canine breeds predisposed to congenital or acquired diseases [ 4 , 5 , 9 , 11 , 43 ]. Specific breeding programs based on echocardiographic screening have been found to reduce the prevalence of certain inherited cardiac diseases in canine breeds [ 5 , 11 ].…”

Joint virtual issue on recent advances in veterinary cardiac imaging

“…17,18 Although less common than acquired canine valve disease or feline cardiomyopathy, congenital heart disease remains a source of morbidity and mortality in animals. Improved measures to quantify severity of pulmonary valve stenosis 19 and a novel method to predict development of subaortic stenosis 20 can be found in these selected articles.…”