Ultrasound Bootcamp Part 3: CARDIAC
Diagnosis and Staging Canine MMVD and Feline Cardiomyopathy with 2D Echocardiography
Course Duration: 3 days
User Level: Intermediate and higher*
Time: 8:30 am – 5 pm
Location: miEducation Training and Resource Centre, Guelph ON
Upcoming Dates:
September 19 – 21, 2024
*Bootcamp Parts 1 and 2 are not required in order to attend this course – however it is HIGHLY recommended that you have attended or experienced ultrasound education and training before you come to Cardiac Bootcamp. See below for details.
About this 3-day course:
Canine MMVD
The most recent ACVIM MMVD Consensus statement guidelines (2019) recommends initiation of treatment with pimobendan in Stage B2 MMVD. The definition of Stage B2 is based primarily on specific heart size and diagnosis of Stage B2 MMVS is now the recommended threshold for initiation of treatment with pimobendan in dogs with preclinical (Stage B) MMVD.
Echocardiography is the most sensitive method to measure heart size and is now the diagnostic test with the highest priority in dogs with preclinical MMVD.
This course will teach you how to acquire and accurately measure the left atrium and left ventricle using simple right parasternal 2D echocardiographic images allowing you to diagnose Stage B2 MMVD and recommend pimobendan treatment according to the 2019 ACVIM MMVD Consensus statement guidelines.
Feline Cardiomyopathy
The prevalence of feline cardiomyopathy is on average about 15% and increases with age. Many apparently healthy cats (20-50%) have heart murmurs, however many heart murmurs in cats are not pathologic. Thirty percent of cats with preclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy go on to develop congestive heart failure (20%) and/or arterial thromboembolism (10%).
The best method to discriminate pathologic from non-pathologic murmurs is echocardiographic assessment with emphasis on accurate assessment of left atrial size. Left atrial enlargement represents a known risk factor for the development of both congestive heart failure and arterial thromboembolism. In cats with active respiratory distress focused assessment of left atrial size can help support (left atria enlargement) or exclude (normal left atrial size) congestive heart failure.
This course will teach you how to acquire and accurately measure the left atrium using simple right parasternal 2D echocardiographic images allowing you to stage the severity of cardiomyopathy.
Who should attend this course:
Veterinarians who want to learn how to perform and interpret a diagnostic echocardiographic study with emphasis key images and measurements that can be used to accurately diagnose and stage canine myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and feline cardiomyopathy. Veterinarians who enjoy interactive attendee oriented small group learning opportunities. Though out the course emphasis will be on practical content that that can be immediately incorporated into their practice.
Meet your instructors:
Dr. Sonya Gordon is an ACVIM Diplomate in Cardiology, Professor of Cardiology, and Eugene Ch’en Chair in Cardiology at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Science. She has published manuscripts, book chapters, and a textbook. Her interests and expertise in teaching have led to many invitations to organize and participate in continuing education events for veterinarians and veterinary cardiologists globally. These opportunities, coupled with her involvement in multicenter international studies, have provided her with a global perspective of veterinary cardiology. Dr. Gordon considers College Station, Texas home and shares her life with her husband, 2.5 dogs, and 2 cats.
Ms. June Boon is a clinical instructor in the Cardiology Department at Colorado State University. She has recently been awarded honorary diplomate status through ACVIM (cardiology).
