CT-based anatomical features of large airway and heart volume in dogs of different body size. (April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Uehara, T.; Orito, K.; Fujii, Y.
• Is Part Of: Veterinary journal. Volume 246(2019)
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 26
• Publication Date: 2019-04
• Subjects: Difference in body size -- Distance from mainstem bronchi to vertebra -- Dogs -- Heart volume -- Large airway anatomy; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; 636
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2019.01.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1090-0233

Abstract

Highlights: Small dogs had a larger heart volume than large dogs. The distance from the mainstem bronchi to the vertebra was short in small dogs. Small dogs had oval-shaped trachea compared to large dogs. Abstract: Differences in the prevalence and clinical signs of cardiopulmonary diseases in dogs of different body sizes have been reported. It was hypothesized that the anatomical features of the heart and large airways varies by body size in dogs and might influence clinical manifestations of cardiopulmonary disease. The purpose of this study was to compare various anatomical features of the thoracic organs (heart, trachea, etc.) in dogs according to body size using computed tomography (CT) images. Dogs without clinically significant heart and lung disease ( n = 226) that underwent CT were divided into three groups on the basis of bodyweight: small (<7 kg), medium (7–20 kg), and large (>20 kg). The following parameters were calculated from CT images using OsiriX and compared among groups: relative heart volume (heart volume/thoracic volume), relative distance from mainstem bronchi to vertebra (distance from mainstem bronchi to vertebra/heart length), longitudinal/transverse diameter ratio of trachea, and angle of bronchus. Small dogs had larger hearts relative to their thorax, a shorter distance from the heart to the vertebra, and laterally-elongated oval-shaped tracheas, compared to medium and/or large dogs. These differences in anatomical features according to body size may potentially contribute to different clinical manifestations when the heart is enlarged.