Survival characteristics and prognostic importance of echocardiographic measurements of right heart size and function in dogs with pulmonary hypertension

Abstract Background The clinical relevance of echocardiographic measurements of right heart size and function in dogs with pulmonary hypertension (PH) is unknown. Objective To determine if echocardiographic measurements of right heart size and right ventricular (RV) function are associated with survival times in dogs with PH. Animals Eighty‐two client‐owned dogs. Methods Retrospective study where data from medical records and baseline echocardiographic examinations were collected and measured in a standardized manner. Owners or primary veterinarians were contacted for outcome data. Results Enlargement of the right atrium (88%), RV (69%), and pulmonary artery (72%) was common. One‐third of the cases had reduced RV function quantified by two‐dimensional echocardiography‐derived tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE). Decreased TAPSE was significantly (P = .008) more common in dogs with PH not secondary to left heart disease (LHD; 43%) compared to dogs with PH secondary to LHD (14%) but median survival times (182, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 39‐309 versus 298, 95% CI = 85‐314 days, respectively) were not significantly different (P = .78). Right atrial area (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.58‐4.70), TAPSE < 3.23 mm/kg0.284 (HR = 2.19, 95% CI = 1.28‐3.74), and right heart failure (HR = 2.05, 95% CI = 1.18‐3.57) were independently associated with shorter survival time (P ≤ .04). Conclusions and Clinical Importance Right atrial area, RV function (TAPSE < 3.23 mm/kg0.284), and right heart failure offer clinically relevant prognostic information in dogs with PH. Results support the quantitative assessment of right heart size and function in dogs with PH.