Echocardiographic characterization of cardiac chambers and vasculatures in buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) during diastolic and systolic phases

Abstract

Background: Ultrasonography had diagnostic importance in the evaluation of different diseases in buffaloes, including cardiovascular diseases. Aim: The current work describes the normal echocardiographic findings in healthy buffaloes, along with establishing reference values for echocardiographic dimensions for both sides of the heart i.e. left and right ones. Methods: About 30 healthy adult buffaloes that belonged to private farms in Assiut, Egypt, were included in this study. Each animal underwent a complete clinical evaluation as well as haematological analyses, lipid profile indices, liver functions, cardio-thoracic radiography and echocardiography to confirm no diseased conditions were detected. The study was conducted on healthy buffaloes (n = 30) in Assiut Governorate, Egypt. Results: The obtained results reported healthy buffaloes with normal clinical findings as well as indices of blood pictures and serum biochemicals that were within the reference intervals. Radiography revealed free reticulum and a well-defined diaphragm. The heart was seen as a typical radio-opaque organ. Ultrasonographically, using gray scale B-mode and M-mode, the heart was commonly imaged from the left 4th intercostal space. Different echocardiographic views were described, including the 4 chamber view, i.e., right atrium (RA), right ventricle (RV), tricuspid valve (TCV), left atrium (LA), left ventricle (LV), mitral valve (MV), and interventricular septum (IVS), and the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT), i.e., Right atrium (RA), tricuspid valve (TCV), right ventricle (RV), pulmonary artery (PA), and pulmonary valve (PV). Cross sections in each of the apex and base of the heart were described. Echocardiographic dimensions during cardiac diastole and systole included diameters and wall thickness of each of atria and ventricles were demonstrated. Interventricular septal thickness wall thickness as well as diameters of aorta and pulmonary artery were stated. Conclusion: The work tried to put reference values on the normal echocardiographic dimensions using two-dimensional B mode gray scale ultrasonography in healthy adult buffaloes. These echocardiographic reference dimensions with normal echocardiographic imaging will be very helpful in enhancing the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasounds for recognizing the abnormal findings related to cardiac disorders. [Open Vet J 2023; 13(10.000): 1239-1250]

Keywords

• buffaloes
• cardiac diastole and systole
• clinical findings
• echocardiographic dimensions
• right ventricular out flow tract