Choi Kawon, Kim Jaehwan, Eom Kidong, Koo Jongwon, Jeong Inseong, Park Chul
Department of Veterinary Medical Imaging, College of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
Royal Animal Medical Center, Seoul 02140, Republic of Korea.
Vet Sci. 2025 Mar 24;12(4):300. doi: 10.3390/vetsci12040300.
This study investigated breed-specific variations in vertebral right heart index (VRHi) values and their diagnostic accuracy in detecting right heart enlargement (RHE) in dogs. A total of 359 dogs from various breeds, including brachycephalic and non-brachycephalic groups, were evaluated using radiographic and echocardiographic methods. The VRHi was measured from lateral (RL) and ventrodorsal (VD) thoracic radiographs. Certain breeds, such as brachycephalic dogs, Schnauzers, Dachshunds, Pomeranians, Yorkshire Terriers, and Miniature Pinschers, demonstrated significantly higher VRHi values than non-brachycephalic breeds, even without true RHE. The RL VRHi showed stronger clinical relevance than the VD VRHi, correlating better with the echocardiographic findings. Breed-specific diagnostic cutoff values were established: RL VRHi ≥ 3.45 vertebral units (v) (sensitivity: 75%, specificity: 75%) and VD VRHi ≥ 2.75 v (sensitivity: 72%, specificity: 72%) for brachycephalic breeds and RL VRHi ≥ 3.25 v (sensitivity: 78%, specificity: 80%), VD VRHi ≥ 2.4 v (sensitivity: 61%, specificity: 61%) for non-brachycephalic breeds not belonging to the aforementioned categories. Body weight and chest conformation showed no significant association with VRHi values. These findings highlight the necessity of considering breed-specific factors in radiographic cardiac evaluations, as some breeds may present radiographic signs of RHE despite a normal cardiac anatomy and function.
本研究调查了犬类椎体右心指数（VRHi）值的品种特异性差异及其在检测犬右心扩大（RHE）中的诊断准确性。使用放射成像和超声心动图方法对总共359只来自不同品种的犬进行了评估，这些品种包括短头犬组和非短头犬组。VRHi通过胸部侧位（RL）和腹背位（VD）X线片测量。某些品种，如短头犬、雪纳瑞犬、腊肠犬、博美犬、约克夏梗犬和迷你杜宾犬，即使没有真正的RHE，其VRHi值也显著高于非短头犬品种。RL VRHi比VD VRHi具有更强的临床相关性，与超声心动图检查结果的相关性更好。建立了品种特异性诊断临界值：短头犬品种的RL VRHi≥3.45椎体单位（v）（敏感性：75%，特异性：75%），VD VRHi≥2.75 v（敏感性：72%，特异性：72%）；不属于上述类别的非短头犬品种的RL VRHi≥3.25 v（敏感性：78%，特异性：80%），VD VRHi≥2.4 v（敏感性：61%，特异性：61%）。体重和胸部形态与VRHi值无显著关联。这些发现强调了在放射学心脏评估中考虑品种特异性因素的必要性，因为一些品种尽管心脏解剖结构和功能正常，但可能出现RHE的放射学征象。
