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Murakami M, Heng HG, Steinbach S, Sola M. Ultrasonographic features of gallbladder wall thickening in dogs with hypoalbuminemia. Vet Q 2023; 43:1-7. [PMID: 37477670 PMCID: PMC10411304 DOI: 10.1080/01652176.2023.2240381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoalbuminemia has been considered as a cause of gallbladder wall thickening in humans and dogs. Recent study revealed that gallbladder wall thickening in dogs with hypoalbuminemia may not be associated with serum albumin/plasma levels within 48 h of ultrasound study. However, gallbladder wall edema may change within 48 h, and the ultrasonographic features of gallbladder wall thickening in dogs with hypoalbuminemia have not been reported. The purpose of this study is to describe the relationship between serum albumin levels within 24 h of ultrasound and gallbladder wall thickening, and to describe the ultrasonographic features of thickened gallbladder walls in dogs with hypoalbuminemia. 37 hypoalbuminemic dogs with gallbladder ultrasound images were retrospectively included. Ultrasound studies were reviewed, and gallbladder wall thickness, layering appearance, echogenicity, echotexture, distribution, evidence of gallbladder mucocele, and presence of peritoneal effusion were recorded. Additionally, serum albumin levels within 24 h of ultrasound study and the administerd sedation were recorded. The prevalence of gallbladder wall thickening in dogs with hypoalbuminemia was 13.5%. The 3-layer appearance of the gallbladder wall was observed in 4 dogs, and a single-layer gallbladder wall thickening in one dog. Diffuse thickening was observed in all 5 dogs. The serum albumin level of dogs with gallbladder wall thickening was not different (p = 0.14) from dogs without thickening. Gallbladder wall thickening was not common, occurring only with mild hypoalbuminemia, and was commonly associated with a 3-layer appearance and considered as gallbladder wall subserosal edema. Causes other than hypoalbuminemia may be responsible for thickening of the gallbladder wall in dogs with hypoalbuminemia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Murakami
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Hock Gan Heng
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Sarah Steinbach
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Mario Sola
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
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Ward JL, DeFrancesco TC. The Role of Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Managing Cardiac Emergencies. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2023; 53:1429-1443. [PMID: 37423842 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2023.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful imaging tool for the diagnosis and monitoring of cardiac emergencies. Unlike complete echocardiography, POCUS is a time-sensitive examination involving a subset of targeted thoracic ultrasound views to identify abnormalities of the heart, lungs, pleural space, and caudal vena cava. When integrated with other clinical information, POCUS can be helpful in the diagnosis of left-sided and right-sided congestive heart failure, pericardial effusion and tamponade, and severe pulmonary hypertension and can help clinicians monitor resolution or recurrence of these conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L Ward
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, 1809 South Riverside Drive, Ames, IA 50010, USA.
| | - Teresa C DeFrancesco
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1052 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
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Martinez C, Davies D, Hoey S, Shiel RE, O'Neill EJ. Ultrasonographic measurement of gallbladder wall thickness in fasted dogs without signs of hepatobiliary disease. J Vet Intern Med 2023; 37:1766-1771. [PMID: 37469251 PMCID: PMC10473047 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ultrasound-determined gallbladder wall thickness is widely used to aid in the diagnosis of gallbladder disease, but no reference values supported by published measurement data are available in dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE Establish normal thickness of the gallbladder wall in dogs. ANIMALS Fifty-three dogs presented to a referral hospital and required abdominal ultrasound examination for reasons unrelated to primary hepatobiliary disease. METHODS Cross-sectional observational study recruiting dogs requiring abdominal ultrasound examination. A standard sequence of gallbladder wall images was recorded for later review. Inclusion criteria were normal ultrasonographic hepatobiliary, pancreatic, and small intestinal findings. Exclusion was determined by 2 European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ECVIM)-certified veterinary internists blinded to gallbladder wall thickness data. Dogs were excluded if they had inadequate medical records, a previous history of hepatobiliary, gastrointestinal, or pancreatic disease likely to impact the biliary system (eg, chronic vomiting, nausea, jaundice, diarrhea), unexplained increases in liver enzyme activities, hypoalbuminemia, or ascites. Gallbladder wall thickness was determined by 2 European College of Veterinary Diagnostic Imaging (ECVDI)-certified veterinary radiologists working together to generate a consensus for each dog. The final output was the maximum normal wall thickness for this population of dogs. RESULTS The upper limit for gallbladder wall thickness in 53 fasted (8 hours) dogs <40 kg was 1.30 mm (90% confidence interval, 1.19-1.41). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Normal gallbladder wall thickness in dogs is lower than previously reported. Additional studies are required to determine potential effects of body weight and the optimal cut-off to distinguish between healthy and diseased gallbladders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Martinez
- Department of Internal MedicineAÚNA Especialidades Veterinarias ‐ IVC EvidensiaValenciaSpain
| | | | - Séamus Hoey
- School of Veterinary MedicineUniversity College Dublin, Belfield Co.DublinIreland
| | - Robert E. Shiel
- School of Veterinary MedicineMurdoch UniversityPerthWestern AustraliaAustralia
| | - Emma J. O'Neill
- School of Veterinary MedicineUniversity College Dublin, Belfield Co.DublinIreland
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Barron LZ, DeFrancesco TC, Chou YY, Bonagura JD, Tropf MA, Murphy SD, McManamey AK, Yuan L, Mochel JP, Ward JL. Echocardiographic caudal vena cava measurements in healthy cats and in cats with congestive heart failure and non-cardiac causes of cavitary effusions. J Vet Cardiol 2023; 48:7-18. [PMID: 37276765 DOI: 10.1016/j.jvc.2023.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Echocardiographic indices of the inferior vena cava have been associated with elevated right atrial pressures in humans. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES Describe caudal vena caval (CVC) sonographic dimensions in healthy cats compared to cats with cardiogenic cavitary effusion (CCE), cardiogenic pulmonary edema (CPE), or non-cardiac causes of cavitary effusion (NCE). ANIMALS 30 healthy control cats and 52 client-owned cats with CCE, CPE, or NCE examined at two university hospitals. METHODS Sagittal 2-dimensional (2D) and M-mode CVC dimensions were acquired from the subxiphoid view. Caudal vena cava collapsibility index (CVC-CI) was calculated. Variables were compared between study groups using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn's Bonferroni testing. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to assess sensitivity and specificity for diagnostic categories. RESULTS Healthy cats had sagittal 2D and M-mode (median, interquartile range) CVC maximal dimensions of 2.4 mm (1.3-4.0) and 3.4 mm (1.5-4.9) and CVC-CI of 52% (45.2-61.8) and 55% (47.8-61.3), respectively. The CVC maximal dimensions in healthy controls were smaller than in cats with cavitary effusions or pulmonary edema (all P<0.05). CVC-CI was different between CCE and NCE (P<0.0001) with cutoffs of CVC-CI ≤38% (2D) or ≤29% (M-mode) being 90.5% and 85.7% sensitive, and 94.4% and 100% specific for diagnosis of CCE, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Caudal vena cava measurements are larger in cats with cavitary effusions and cats with CPE than healthy cats. In cats with cavitary effusion, decreased CVC-CI, ≤38% (2D) or ≤29% (M-mode), was helpful in distinguishing between cardiogenic and noncardiogenic etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Z Barron
- Davies Veterinary Specialists, Manor Farm Business Park, Higham Gobion, Hitchin SG5 3HR, United Kingdom
| | - T C DeFrancesco
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Dr., Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA.
| | - Y-Y Chou
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, 1800 Christensen Dr, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - J D Bonagura
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1060 William Moore Dr., Raleigh, NC, 27607, USA
| | - M A Tropf
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, 1800 Christensen Dr, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - S D Murphy
- Mission Veterinary Emergency & Specialty, 5914 Johnson Dr, Mission, KS 66202, USA
| | - A K McManamey
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Purdue University, 625 Harrison St, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA
| | - L Yuan
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, 1800 Christensen Dr, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - J P Mochel
- Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, 1800 Christensen Dr, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - J L Ward
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, 1800 Christensen Dr, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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Morey AGN, Lamb KE, Karnia JJ, Wiggen KE, Lyons BM, Nafe LA, Leach SB. N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide, cardiac troponin-I, and point-of-care ultrasound in dogs with cardiac and noncardiac causes of nonhemorrhagic ascites. J Vet Intern Med 2023; 37:900-909. [PMID: 37060291 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nonhemorrhagic ascites (NHA) can be caused by cardiac diseases (cNHA) and noncardiac diseases (ncNHA). N-terminal brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cardiac troponin-I (cTnI), and point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) may differentiate between cNHA and ncNHA. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES We compared NT-proBNP and cTnI concentrations as well as POCUS findings in dogs presented with cNHA and ncNHA. ANIMALS Dogs (n = 60) were enrolled based on identification of NHA with an effusion packed cell volume < 10%. METHODS Blood samples were collected and POCUS was performed on all dogs. Dogs were diagnosed with cNHA (n = 28) or ncNHA (n = 32) based on echocardiography. The cNHA group was subdivided into cardiac non-pericardial disease (n = 17) and pericardial disease (n = 11). RESULTS The NT-proBNP concentration (median; range pmol/L) was significantly higher in the cNHA group (4510; 250-10 000) compared to the ncNHA group (739.5; 250-10 000; P = .01), with a sensitivity of 53.8% and specificity of 85.7% using a cut-off of 4092 pmol/L. The NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly higher in the cardiac non-pericardial disease group (8339; 282-10 000) compared with the pericardial disease group (692.5; 250-4928; P = .002). A significant difference in cTnI concentration (median; range ng/L) between the cNHA group (300; 23-112 612) and ncNHA group (181; 17-37 549) was not detected (P = .41). A significantly higher number of dogs had hepatic venous and caudal vena cava distension in the cNHA group compared to the ncNHA group, respectively (18/28 vs 3/29, P < .0001 and 13/27 vs 2/29, P < .001). Gall bladder wall edema was not significantly different between groups (4/28 vs 3/29, P = .74). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE NT-proBNP concentration and POCUS help distinguish between cNHA and ncNHA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice G N Morey
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | | | - James J Karnia
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Kelly E Wiggen
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Bridget M Lyons
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Laura A Nafe
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Stacey B Leach
- Department of Veterinary Medicine Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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MacLeod AN, Reichle JK, Szabo D, Cohen EB, Artiles C, Fulkerson CV, Kurihara M, Mattoon J. Ultrasonographic Appearance of Gallbladder Neoplasia in 14 Dogs and 1 Cat. Vet Radiol Ultrasound 2023. [PMID: 36867397 DOI: 10.1111/vru.13227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Ultrasonography is the most commonly used diagnostic imaging tool for gallbladder disease in veterinary medicine. Primary gallbladder neoplasia is an uncommon finding with variable prognosis for which no studies have been published describing their ultrasonographic appearance and diagnosis. This retrospective, multicenter, case series study examines the ultrasonographic appearance of gallbladder neoplasia with histologically or cytologically confirmed diagnoses. A total of 14 dogs and 1 cat were analyzed. All discrete masses were sessile in shape and varied in size, echogenicity, location, and gallbladder wall thickening. All studies with images showing Doppler interrogation exhibited vascularity. Cholecystoliths were an uncommon finding, being present in only one case in this study, unlike in humans. The final diagnosis of the gallbladder neoplasia was neuroendocrine carcinoma (8), leiomyoma (3), lymphoma (1), gastrointestinal stromal tumor (1), extrahepatic cholangiocellular carcinoma (1), and adenoma (1). Findings from this study indicate that primary gallbladder neoplasms have variable sonographic appearances and cytologic and histologic diagnoses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Eli B Cohen
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, NC
| | - Charles Artiles
- Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN
| | - Caroline V Fulkerson
- Purdue University Veterinary Hospital, Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine, West Lafayette, IN
| | - Manabu Kurihara
- Cummings Veterinary Medical Center, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA
| | - John Mattoon
- Veterinary Teaching Hospital, WSU College of Veterinary Medicine, Pullman, WA
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Fortuna L, Yaffy D, Priestnall SL, Cook S. Pulmonary arterial thromboses and gall bladder wall oedema in a cat with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. VETERINARY RECORD CASE REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/vrc2.248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Fortuna
- Department of Clinical Science and Services Royal Veterinary College Hatfield UK
| | - Dylan Yaffy
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences Royal Veterinary College Hatfield UK
| | - Simon L. Priestnall
- Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences Royal Veterinary College Hatfield UK
| | - Simon Cook
- Department of Clinical Science and Services Royal Veterinary College Hatfield UK
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Lisciandro GR. TFAST Accurate Diagnosis of Pleural and Pericardial Effusion, Caudal Vena Cava in Dogs and Cats. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2021; 51:1169-1182. [PMID: 34535337 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
TFAST, a standardized and validated thoracic point-of-care ultrasound examination, includes 5 acoustic windows: bilaterally applied chest tube site and pericardial site views plus diaphragmatico-hepatic view, also part of AFAST/ Vet BLUE. TFAST is used for rapid detection of pneumothorax and pleural and pericardial effusion. By following a set of TFAST rules, image interpretation errors are avoided, including mistaking cardiac chambers for effusion. Moreover, TFAST echocardiography is used as a screening test for chamber size and soft tissue abnormalities, volume status and contractility, and intracardiac abnormalities.
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AFAST Target-Organ Approach and Fluid Scoring System in Dogs and Cats. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2021; 51:1217-1231. [PMID: 34535332 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Point-of-care ultrasonography as part of the physical examination is becoming considered a core skill. AFAST includes 5 acoustic windows over the abdomen and serves as a rapid screening test for free fluid (ascites, retroperitoneal, pleural and pericardial effusion) and soft tissue abnormalities (target-organ approach), and has an abdominal fluid scoring system (semiquantitating volume). Moreover, add-on skills are possible without additional views that include characterizing the caudal vena cava and hepatic veins (volume status), measuring the urinary bladder (volume estimation and urine output), screening for free air (pneumoperitoneum, pneumoretroperitoneum), and assessing gastrointestinal motility.
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Lisciandro GR, Lisciandro SC. Global FAST for Patient Monitoring and Staging in Dogs and Cats. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2021; 51:1315-1333. [PMID: 34535333 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Please verify if FAST should be expanded at first use - "focused assessment with sonography for trauma"?: Global FAST consists of abdominal FAST, thoracic FAST, and Vet BLUE combined as a single point-of-care ultrasound examination used as an extension of the physical examination. By applying its unbiased set of 15 data imaging points, information is gained while avoiding image interpretation errors, such as satisfaction of search error and confirmation bias error, through selective POCUS imaging. Moreover, Global FAST is used for integrating information from both cavities, rapidly screening for the Hs and Ts of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and staging localized versus disseminated disease, helpful diagnostically and prognostically for patient work-up. By seeing a problem list, patient care is improved.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stephanie C Lisciandro
- Hill Country Veterinary Specialists and FASTVet.com, Spicewood, TX, USA; Oncura Partners, Fort Worth, TX, USA.
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DeFrancesco TC, Ward JL. Focused Canine Cardiac Ultrasound. Vet Clin North Am Small Anim Pract 2021; 51:1203-1216. [PMID: 34511294 DOI: 10.1016/j.cvsm.2021.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Focused cardiac ultrasound (FCU) is a useful point-of-care imaging tool to assess cardiovascular status in symptomatic dogs in the acute care setting. Unlike complete echocardiography, FCU is a time-sensitive examination involving a subset of targeted ultrasound views to identify severe cardiac abnormalities and is performed as part of an integrated thoracic ultrasound including interrogation of the pleural space and lungs. When integrated with other clinical information, FCU can be helpful in the diagnosis of left-sided and right-sided congestive heart failure, pericardial effusion and tamponade, and severe pulmonary hypertension, and can provide estimates of fluid responsiveness in hypotensive dogs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa C DeFrancesco
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, 1052 William Moore Dr, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA.
| | - Jessica L Ward
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, 1809 S. Riverside Dr, Ames, IA 50010, USA
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Lisciandro GR, Gambino JM, Lisciandro SC. Thirteen dogs and a cat with ultrasonographically detected gallbladder wall edema associated with cardiac disease. J Vet Intern Med 2021; 35:1342-1346. [PMID: 33826214 PMCID: PMC8163112 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ultrasonographically detected gallbladder wall edema (GBWE) is a marker for anaphylaxis in dogs. Cardiac disease can cause GBWE with similar signs and should be included as a differential diagnosis to prevent interpretation errors. Hypothesis/Objectives Document GBWE associated with cardiac disease. Animals Fourteen client‐owned animals. Methods Prospective case series with abdominal focused assessment with abdominal sonography in trauma, triage and tracking (AFAST), and thoracic focused assessment with abdominal sonography in trauma, triage, and tracking (TFAST) performed at triage. Animals with GBWE and cardiac disease were enrolled. A board‐certified radiologist reviewed images to confirm cardiac disease, GBWE, and characterize the caudal vena cava (CVC) and hepatic veins. Results Thirteen dogs and 1 cat had GBWE associated with cardiac disease. Gallbladder findings included mural thickness ranging from 3 to 5 mm, mild to moderate sludge (n = 3), and mild to moderate luminal distension (n = 6). CVC and hepatic venous distension were found in 5/6. Cardiac diagnoses in dogs included 11 with pericardial effusion (PCE) and 1 each with dilated cardiomyopathy and right‐sided myocardial failure. Severity of PCE was rated as mild (n = 1), moderate (n = 6), or severe (n = 4). Seven of 11 had pericardiocentesis performed. Nine of 13 had ascites with 4 having abdominal fluid scores of 1 (n = 2), 2 (n = 2), 3 (n = 1), and 4 (n = 0). Lung ultrasound findings were as follows: dry lung (n = 6), B‐lines (n = 4), and nodules (n = 1). The cat had moderate PCE, ascites scored as 1, and severe right‐sided ventricular enlargement associated with a ventricular septal defect. Primary presenting complaints included acute weakness (n = 9), acute collapse (n = 5), gastrointestinal signs (n = 3), respiratory distress (n = 2), and need for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (n = 1). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Ultrasonographically detected GBWE was associated with PCE in this small cohort of cases.
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