Frequency and number of B‐lines using a regionally based lung ultrasound examination in cats with radiographically normal lungs compared to cats with left‐sided congestive heart failure

Abstract

The lack of B-lines in cats without respiratory disease (with radiographically normal lungs) and the predominance of B-lines in cats with left-sided CHF suggest that a regionally based LUS protocol may be clinically useful for the identification and evaluation of feline respiratory conditions.

Distribution of alveolar‐interstitial syndrome in dogs and cats with respiratory distress as assessed by lung ultrasound versus thoracic radiographs

“…Third, as previously discussed, B‐lines were the only LUS artifact evaluated in this study; other thoracic ultrasound artifacts potentially associated with pulmonary pathology (shred sign, nodules, tissue sign) , were not specifically evaluated. Fourth, the study's definitions of a “positive” quadrant for each modality (presence of > 3 B‐lines within a quadrant on LUS; presence of AIS in > 25% of a quadrant on TXR) were adapted from previously published scoring systems and chosen to maximize diagnostic accuracy and agreement between modalities . However, different definitions could theoretically have been employed that might have changed agreement between modalities or disease‐specific patterns of AIS distribution.…”

“…Lung ultrasound examinations using a previously published protocol were performed by cardiology or emergency clinicians who had completed a 2‐hour training session with an experienced lung ultrasonographer (GRL) and had demonstrated proficiency during 3–5 supervised examinations. All LUS examinations were performed using a single portable ultrasound machine with curvilinear probe and standardized settings (ultrasound frequency 8 MHz, depth 4–7 cm).…”

“…All LUS examinations were performed using a single portable ultrasound machine with curvilinear probe and standardized settings (ultrasound frequency 8 MHz, depth 4–7 cm). The protocol used to examine patients has been previously described but briefly, patients were standing or in sternal recumbency. Hair was parted (not shaved) and alcohol used to facilitate probe contact.…”

“…Lung quadrants assessed for alveolar‐interstitial syndrome as defined by modified Murray Lung Injury Score . Cd, caudal; Cr, cranial; L, left; R, right.…”

“…Studies in human emergency medicine suggest that LUS is useful for the bedside diagnosis of AIS, and that this point‐of‐care imaging modality can differentiate CPE from noncardiac (NC) causes of respiratory distress with high sensitivity and specificity . The diagnostic utility of LUS has also recently been demonstrated in veterinary patients , . In a study of 100 dyspneic dogs and cats, LUS differentiated CPE from NC disease with sensitivity of 84% and specificity of 74%, similar to the diagnostic accuracy of TXR; diagnostic accuracy within the subpopulation of cats was even higher .…”