This research was intended to identify reference intervals for the radiographic cardiac indices (vertebral heart scale (VHS), radiographic left atrial dimension (RLAD), and vertebral left atrial size (VLAS)) of 58 healthy, adult New Zealand white rabbits based on echocardiography. VHS, VLAS, and RLAD measurements were taken from contrast right lateral (R) and ventrodorsal (VD) thoracic radiographs. The correlations between these radiographic cardiac indices and echocardiographic parameters were then evaluated. The mean values with a reference interval were 7.94±0.31 vertebrae (v) (7.2-8.6 v) for R-VHS and 8.67±0.33 v (7.8-9.2 v) for VD-VHS. The median values with a reference interval were 1.5 v (1-2 v) for VLAS and 1 v (0.7-1.4 v) for RLAD. Body weight and gender had no effect on any radiographic cardiac indices. A positive correlation was found between all radiographic indices obtained from R contrast radiographs and echocardiographic parameters (r≥0.421, P<0.0001). Excellent intraobserver agreement was determined for the radiographic measurement methods (intraclass correlation coefficients ≥0.818). Contrast thoracic radiography appears to represent a useful technique for the accurate determination of radiographic cardiac indices. The findings can be used as reference values for radiographic cardiac evaluation in both pet and laboratory rabbits.
Rabbit radiographic left atrial dimension reference range vertebral heart scale vertebral left atrial size
Primary Language | English |
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Subjects | Veterinary Surgery, Veterinary Diagnosis and Diagnostics |
Journal Section | Research Article |
Authors | |
Early Pub Date | June 28, 2024 |
Publication Date | |
Submission Date | November 29, 2023 |
Acceptance Date | March 11, 2024 |
Published in Issue | Year 2024Accepted Papers |