Reference intervals for radiographic, echocardiographic and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide values in healthy kittens.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Assessment of heart size in kittens is important, and there is a need for reference intervals (RIs) to prevent misinterpretation of cardiomegaly in this patient population. The purpose of this study was to generate RIs for echocardiographic and radiographic quantification of cardiac size in healthy kittens.

Methods

In total, 88 kittens aged 6-16 weeks were enrolled in this study. Physical examination, and radiographic and echocardiographic evaluations were performed without sedation. Thoracic radiographs and echocardiographic images were measured to establish RIs for vertebral heart score (VHS), cardiac thoracic ratio (CTR) and multiple echocardiographic variables. N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was measured. Statistical correlations between

SUBMITTER: Gunther-Harrington CT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10812212 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature