# Comparative Study of Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Normal and Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Cats

## TL;DR

This study shows that a special ultrasound technique can detect early heart problems in cats with a common heart disease called HCM.

## Contribution

The study identifies GLS and GRS as reliable indicators of heart dysfunction in cats with HCM using speckle tracking echocardiography.

## Key findings

- GLS and GRS were significantly lower in HCM cats compared to healthy controls.
- Atrial dysfunction was observed in HCM cats, as indicated by reduced LAEF and RS.
- GRSR was the only strain rate parameter significantly reduced in HCM cats.

## Abstract

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease in cats and can lead to heart failure or sudden death. Detecting heart problems early is important, but it can be difficult using standard ultrasound methods. This study used a special imaging technique called speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), which measures how the heart muscle moves and stretches during each heartbeat. We compared heart movement patterns between healthy cats and cats with HCM. The results showed that cats with HCM had weaker heart muscle motion, especially in the directions of length and thickness, and their heart’s pumping and relaxation functions were reduced. These findings suggest that this imaging method can help veterinarians detect early or subtle heart problems that might not be visible with regular scans. By improving early diagnosis and treatment, this research may contribute to better heart health and longer lives for cats affected by heart disease.

Background: Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) is a well-established tool in human cardiology for detecting subtle myocardial dysfunction using strain indices. In cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), STE has been applied in several studies and has identified myocardial deformation abnormalities. This study aimed to identify sensitive echocardiographic markers of myocardial dysfunction in cats with HCM by comparing global strain and strain rate parameters with those of healthy cats. Methods: Sixty cats were examined, including 31 healthy controls and 29 HCM-affected cats. Echocardiographic assessments included global circumferential strain (GCS), global radial strain (GRS), global longitudinal strain (GLS), their corresponding strain rates (GCSR, GRSR, and GLSR), left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF), and atrial reservoir strain (RS). Results: GLS and GRS were significantly lower in HCM cats than in controls, while GCS showed no significant difference. Among strain rate parameters, only GRSR was significantly reduced in the HCM group. Additionally, both LAEF and RS were markedly decreased, suggesting atrial dysfunction associated with HCM. Conclusions: These findings indicate that GLS and GRS are reliable indicators of left ventricular dysfunction in feline HCM and that GRSR may offer additional insight into myocardial deformation dynamics. Overall, STE provides a useful, non-invasive tool for improving the diagnosis and clinical evaluation of feline HCM.