Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Dogs: Evaluating Imaging Parameters and Methodological Variability in Global Longitudinal Strain Assessment
Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) is an advanced imaging technique that offers quantitative insights into myocardial function by analyzing the motion of speckles created during ultrasound–tissue interactions. This study aims to evaluate the reliability of 2D-STE by examining...
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2025-05-01
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| author | Jonas E. Mogensen Maiken B. T. Bach Pernille G. Bay Tuğba Varlik Jakob L. Willesen Caroline H. Gleerup Jørgen Koch |
| author_facet | Jonas E. Mogensen Maiken B. T. Bach Pernille G. Bay Tuğba Varlik Jakob L. Willesen Caroline H. Gleerup Jørgen Koch |
| author_sort | Jonas E. Mogensen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) is an advanced imaging technique that offers quantitative insights into myocardial function by analyzing the motion of speckles created during ultrasound–tissue interactions. This study aims to evaluate the reliability of 2D-STE by examining the impact of key technical parameters on global longitudinal strain (GLS) measurement accuracy and comparing two speckle-tracking analysis methods provided by GE Healthcare: quantitative analysis of the 2D strain (2D strain) and automated function imaging (AFI). The prospective study consisted of two cohorts. In the first cohort, including 16 healthy dogs, the influence of frame rate, heart rate variation, zoom, transducer frequency, and image foreshortening on speckle-tracking values was assessed. In the second cohort, which included 10 healthy dogs, 2D-STE parameters were obtained with the 2D strain and AFI to assess agreement between the methods and observer variability. Our findings indicate that foreshortening (<i>p</i> < 0.01, Cohen’s d: 0.52, CI: −17.81 to −24.83) and heart rate variability (<i>p</i> = 0.02, Cohen’s d: 0.72, CI: −18.07 to −26.23) significantly affect speckle-tracking measurements. While zoom, frame rate, and frequency did not show a significant impact. Additionally, while the 2D strain and AFI exhibited a strong correlation, a significant systematic bias was identified, with AFI underestimating strain values compared to the 2D strain. Intra- and inter-observer coefficients of variation (CV) were below 9% for both methods, supporting their reliability. These findings emphasize the need to optimize image acquisition and selection criteria, which enhances the accuracy and reliability of the speckle-tracking analysis. |
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| institution | Kabale University |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-86483899bd8d40bfb72b29a30ac3710f2025-08-20T03:46:38ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-05-011511152310.3390/ani15111523Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Dogs: Evaluating Imaging Parameters and Methodological Variability in Global Longitudinal Strain AssessmentJonas E. Mogensen0Maiken B. T. Bach1Pernille G. Bay2Tuğba Varlik3Jakob L. Willesen4Caroline H. Gleerup5Jørgen Koch6Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 16, 1870 Frederiksberg, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 16, 1870 Frederiksberg, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 16, 1870 Frederiksberg, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary Medicine, Internal Medicine, Bursa Uludağ University, Görükle Kampüsü, Görükle, 16059 Nilüfer, Bursa, TürkiyeDepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 16, 1870 Frederiksberg, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 16, 1870 Frederiksberg, DenmarkDepartment of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Dyrlægevej 16, 1870 Frederiksberg, DenmarkTwo-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) is an advanced imaging technique that offers quantitative insights into myocardial function by analyzing the motion of speckles created during ultrasound–tissue interactions. This study aims to evaluate the reliability of 2D-STE by examining the impact of key technical parameters on global longitudinal strain (GLS) measurement accuracy and comparing two speckle-tracking analysis methods provided by GE Healthcare: quantitative analysis of the 2D strain (2D strain) and automated function imaging (AFI). The prospective study consisted of two cohorts. In the first cohort, including 16 healthy dogs, the influence of frame rate, heart rate variation, zoom, transducer frequency, and image foreshortening on speckle-tracking values was assessed. In the second cohort, which included 10 healthy dogs, 2D-STE parameters were obtained with the 2D strain and AFI to assess agreement between the methods and observer variability. Our findings indicate that foreshortening (<i>p</i> < 0.01, Cohen’s d: 0.52, CI: −17.81 to −24.83) and heart rate variability (<i>p</i> = 0.02, Cohen’s d: 0.72, CI: −18.07 to −26.23) significantly affect speckle-tracking measurements. While zoom, frame rate, and frequency did not show a significant impact. Additionally, while the 2D strain and AFI exhibited a strong correlation, a significant systematic bias was identified, with AFI underestimating strain values compared to the 2D strain. Intra- and inter-observer coefficients of variation (CV) were below 9% for both methods, supporting their reliability. These findings emphasize the need to optimize image acquisition and selection criteria, which enhances the accuracy and reliability of the speckle-tracking analysis.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/11/1523caninespeckle-tracking echocardiographymyocardial function2D-STEglobal longitudinal straindog |
| spellingShingle | Jonas E. Mogensen Maiken B. T. Bach Pernille G. Bay Tuğba Varlik Jakob L. Willesen Caroline H. Gleerup Jørgen Koch Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Dogs: Evaluating Imaging Parameters and Methodological Variability in Global Longitudinal Strain Assessment Animals canine speckle-tracking echocardiography myocardial function 2D-STE global longitudinal strain dog |
| title | Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Dogs: Evaluating Imaging Parameters and Methodological Variability in Global Longitudinal Strain Assessment |
| title_full | Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Dogs: Evaluating Imaging Parameters and Methodological Variability in Global Longitudinal Strain Assessment |
| title_fullStr | Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Dogs: Evaluating Imaging Parameters and Methodological Variability in Global Longitudinal Strain Assessment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Dogs: Evaluating Imaging Parameters and Methodological Variability in Global Longitudinal Strain Assessment |
| title_short | Speckle-Tracking Echocardiography in Dogs: Evaluating Imaging Parameters and Methodological Variability in Global Longitudinal Strain Assessment |
| title_sort | speckle tracking echocardiography in dogs evaluating imaging parameters and methodological variability in global longitudinal strain assessment |
| topic | canine speckle-tracking echocardiography myocardial function 2D-STE global longitudinal strain dog |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/11/1523 |
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