Echocardiographic analysis of dogs before and after surgical treatment of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome

Brložnik, Maja (author), Nemec Svete, Alenka (author), Erjavec, Vladimira (author), Domanjko-Petrič, Aleksandra (author)

Brachycephalic dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) are a valuable animal model for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in humans. Clinical signs of upper airway obstruction improve after surgical treatment of BOAS, but the impact of surgery on morphology and function of the heart has not been studied. Therefore, we aimed to compare the echocardiographic variables of dogs before and after surgical treatment of BOAS. We included 18 client-owned dogs with BOAS (7 French Bulldogs, 6 Boston Terriers, and 5 Pugs) scheduled for surgical correction. We performed a complete echocardiographic examination before and 6 to 12 (median 9) months after surgery. Seven non-brachycephalic dogs were included in the control group. After surgery, BOAS patients had a significantly (p < 0.05) larger left atrium to aortic ratio (LA/Ao), left atrium in the long axis index, and thickness of the left ventricular posterior wall in diastole index. They also had a higher late diastolic annular velocity of the interventricular septum (Am) and increased global right ventricular strain and left ventricular global strain in the apical 4-chamber view, as well as a higher caudal vena cava collapsibility index (CVCCI). Before surgery, BOAS patients had a significantly lower CVCCI, Am, peak systolic annular velocity of the interventricular septum (Si), and early diastolic annular velocity of the interventricular septum (Ei) compared to non-brachycephalic dogs. After surgery, BOAS patients had a smaller right ventricular internal diameter at base index, right ventricular area in systole index, mitral annular plane systolic excursion index, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion index, as well as lower values of Am, Si, Ei, and late diastolic annular velocity of the interventricular septum, and a larger LA/Ao compared to non-brachycephalic dogs. Significant differences between BOAS patients and non-brachycephalic dogs indicate higher right heart pressures and decreased systolic and diastolic ventricular function in BOAS dogs, which is in accordance with the results of studies in OSA patients. In parallel with the marked clinical improvement, right heart pressures decreased, and right ventricular systolic and diastolic function improved after surgery.

• Language: English
• Keywords: dog, brachycephaly, BOAS, echocardiography, obstructive sleep apnea, craniofacial abnormalities, dog diseases, veterinary surgery
• Work type: Article
• Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
• Organization: VF - Veterinary Faculty
• Publication status: Published
• Publication version: Version of Record
• Year: 2023
• Number of pages: 10 str.
• Numbering: Vol. 10, art. 1148288
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-145660
• UDC: 636.7.09:616-089
• ISSN on article: 2297-1769
• DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1148288
• COBISS.SI-ID: 151040259
• Publication date in RUL: 05.05.2023

BRLOŽNIK, Maja, NEMEC SVETE, Alenka, ERJAVEC, Vladimira and DOMANJKO-PETRIČ, Aleksandra, 2023, Echocardiographic analysis of dogs before and after surgical treatment of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome. Frontiers in veterinary science [online]. 2023. Vol. 10, no. 1148288. [Accessed 23 September 2025]. DOI 10.3389/fvets.2023.1148288. Retrieved from: https://repozitorij.uni-lj.si/IzpisGradiva.php?lang=eng&id=145660

Record is a part of a journal

• Title: Frontiers in veterinary science
• Shortened title: Front. vet. sci.
• Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.
• ISSN: 2297-1769
• COBISS.SI-ID: 3969402

Licences

• License: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Link: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
• Description: This is the standard Creative Commons license that gives others maximum freedom to do what they want with the work as long as they credit the author.

Projects

• Funder: ARRS - Slovenian Research Agency
• Project number: P4-0053
• Name: Endokrini, imunski in encimski odzivi pri zdravih in bolnih živalih