# Comparison Between Radiographic Vertebral Left Atrial Size (VLAS) and Echocardiographic Methods for Predicting Left Atrial Remodeling in Dogs With Mitral Valve Disease

## TL;DR

This study compares a radiographic method (VLAS) with echocardiographic measures to predict left atrial remodeling in dogs with heart disease.

## Contribution

VLAS shows strong correlation with key echocardiographic variables and the MINE score in dogs with mitral valve disease.

## Key findings

- VLAS strongly correlates with LA/Ao ratio (88%), LVIDdn (75%), and E-wave (74%).
- VLAS also shows 84% correlation with the MINE score.
- No significant relationship was found between VLAS and FS (p = 0.06).

## Abstract

Objective: To investigate whether there is a positive correlation between vertebral left atrial size (VLAS) and echocardiographic variables—left atrium-to-aorta ratio (LA/Ao), left ventricular fractional shortening (FS), left ventricular internal diameter in diastole normalized to body weight (LVIDdn), and left ventricular early filling velocity (E-wave)—and the Mitral INsufficiency Echocardiographic (MINE) echocardiographic score.

Study Design: Prospective randomized blinded study.

Animals: A total of 26 dogs.

Methods: Dogs diagnosed with MVD participated in the study. All patients underwent radiographic and echocardiographic evaluation.

Results: A high correlation strength could be observed between the left atrial enlargement predictor VLAS and the LA/Ao ratio (88%), as well as with LVIDdn (75%) and E-wave (74%). Furthermore, a correction strength of 84% was verified between VLAS and the MINE score. The analysis of the FS variable did not demonstrate a statistically significant relationship (p value of 0.06).

Conclusions and Clinics Relevance: VLAS has a positive relationship and important correlation with the echocardiographic variables and MINE score. Associated with its higher accessibility in clinical routine is a potential diagnostic method to detect left atrial enlargement in dogs, contributing to the diagnostic conduct in DVM.