Diagnostic Value of Right Pulmonary Artery Distensibility Index in Dogs with Pulmonary Hypertension: Comparison with Doppler Echocardiographic Estimates of Pulmonary Arterial Pressure

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Abstract
Background: Noninvasive diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension (PH) primarily relies upon Doppler echocardiography of tricuspid regurgitation (TR). However, TR might be absent or difficult to measure. Hypothesis/Objectives: To determine the diagnostic value of right pulmonary artery distensibility (RPAD) index for prediction of Doppler-derived estimates of pulmonary artery (PA) pressure compared to other indices of PH in dogs. Animals: Sixty-nine client-owned dogs with TR. Methods: Prospective observational study. Dogs were allocated to groups according to TR pressure gradient (TRPG): TRPG 75 mmHg (n = 17). Right pulmonary artery distensibility index, acceleration time to peak PA flow (AT), AT: ejection time of PA flow (AT:ET) and main PA size: aorta size (MPA:Ao) were calculated in each dog. Results: Right pulmonary artery distensibility index demonstrated the strongest correlation (r = −0.90; P < .0001) to TRPG followed by MPA:Ao (r = 0.78; P < .0001), AT (r = −0.69; P < .0001) and AT:ET (r = −0.68; P < .0001). RPAD index possessed the most accurate cutoff (50 mmHg compared to AT (<53.9 ms; Sn 0.74, Sp 0.87), AT:ET (1.04; Sn 0.94, Sp 0.74). All intra- and interobserver measurement variabilities exhibited coefficients of variation ≤13%. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Right pulmonary artery distensibility index is an accurate predictor of TRPG and should be particularly useful if TR is absent or difficult to measure.
Funding Information
  • American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation
  • Center for Companion Animal Health at the University of California, Davis

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