Quantitative evaluation of radiation-induced heart disease in beagle dogs by speckle tracking echocardiography

Abstract Objective This study aimed to detect early changes in left ventricular systolic function in Beagle dogs after radiotherapy using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and to explore its potential value in evaluating radiation-induced heart disease. Methods Thirty-six Beagle dogs...

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Main Authors: Zi-Ying Wang, Long Huang, Li-Qun Li, Chun-Quan Zhang, Liang-Yun Guo, Yan-Na Liu, Ling-Min Liao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-025-04636-5
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author Zi-Ying Wang
Long Huang
Li-Qun Li
Chun-Quan Zhang
Liang-Yun Guo
Yan-Na Liu
Ling-Min Liao
author_facet Zi-Ying Wang
Long Huang
Li-Qun Li
Chun-Quan Zhang
Liang-Yun Guo
Yan-Na Liu
Ling-Min Liao
author_sort Zi-Ying Wang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective This study aimed to detect early changes in left ventricular systolic function in Beagle dogs after radiotherapy using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and to explore its potential value in evaluating radiation-induced heart disease. Methods Thirty-six Beagle dogs were randomized into a control group (n = 18) and an irradiation group (n = 18). The irradiation group received a single dose of 20 Gy to the left ventricular anterior wall, while controls underwent sham irradiation. Conventional echocardiography and 2D speckle tracking echocardiography were performed at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months post-procedure. Additionally, six dogs were randomly selected from each group and euthanized at 3-, 6-, and 12-month post-irradiation, and their hearts were collected for histopathological testing. Results In the irradiation group, the global longitudinal strain of the left ventricle and regional strain in the irradiated area were significantly reduced versus baseline and controls by 3 months, with progressive decline at 6 and 12 months. Strain reduction correlated spatially with pathological injury. Conversely, there were no substantial differences in conventional echocardiographic parameters between the groups after 3 months. Conventional parameters (e.g., LVEF) showed differences only at later timepoints. Histopathology revealed progressive cardiomyocyte damage, fibrosis, and microvascular injury in irradiated regions, extending to the posterior wall by 12 months. Conclusion Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography-derived strain parameters spatially correlate with radiation-induced pathological changes and detect subtle systolic dysfunction prior to irreversible remodeling. Speckle tracking may localize regions of peak radiation dose delivery.
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issn 1471-2261
language English
publishDate 2025-03-01
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series BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
spelling doaj-art-9d8511d2f69b49a888e5b402dc7f39252025-08-20T03:41:40ZengBMCBMC Cardiovascular Disorders1471-22612025-03-0125111510.1186/s12872-025-04636-5Quantitative evaluation of radiation-induced heart disease in beagle dogs by speckle tracking echocardiographyZi-Ying Wang0Long Huang1Li-Qun Li2Chun-Quan Zhang3Liang-Yun Guo4Yan-Na Liu5Ling-Min Liao6Department of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang UniversityDepartment of Oncology, The Second Affifiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang UniversityDepartment of Ultrasound, Yanshan County People’s HospitalDepartment of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang UniversityDepartment of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang UniversityDepartment of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang UniversityDepartment of Ultrasound, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang UniversityAbstract Objective This study aimed to detect early changes in left ventricular systolic function in Beagle dogs after radiotherapy using two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and to explore its potential value in evaluating radiation-induced heart disease. Methods Thirty-six Beagle dogs were randomized into a control group (n = 18) and an irradiation group (n = 18). The irradiation group received a single dose of 20 Gy to the left ventricular anterior wall, while controls underwent sham irradiation. Conventional echocardiography and 2D speckle tracking echocardiography were performed at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months post-procedure. Additionally, six dogs were randomly selected from each group and euthanized at 3-, 6-, and 12-month post-irradiation, and their hearts were collected for histopathological testing. Results In the irradiation group, the global longitudinal strain of the left ventricle and regional strain in the irradiated area were significantly reduced versus baseline and controls by 3 months, with progressive decline at 6 and 12 months. Strain reduction correlated spatially with pathological injury. Conversely, there were no substantial differences in conventional echocardiographic parameters between the groups after 3 months. Conventional parameters (e.g., LVEF) showed differences only at later timepoints. Histopathology revealed progressive cardiomyocyte damage, fibrosis, and microvascular injury in irradiated regions, extending to the posterior wall by 12 months. Conclusion Two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography-derived strain parameters spatially correlate with radiation-induced pathological changes and detect subtle systolic dysfunction prior to irreversible remodeling. Speckle tracking may localize regions of peak radiation dose delivery.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-025-04636-5RadiotherapyRadiation-induced heart diseaseSpeckle tracking echocardiographyUltrasound
spellingShingle Zi-Ying Wang
Long Huang
Li-Qun Li
Chun-Quan Zhang
Liang-Yun Guo
Yan-Na Liu
Ling-Min Liao
Quantitative evaluation of radiation-induced heart disease in beagle dogs by speckle tracking echocardiography
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
Radiotherapy
Radiation-induced heart disease
Speckle tracking echocardiography
Ultrasound
title Quantitative evaluation of radiation-induced heart disease in beagle dogs by speckle tracking echocardiography
title_full Quantitative evaluation of radiation-induced heart disease in beagle dogs by speckle tracking echocardiography
title_fullStr Quantitative evaluation of radiation-induced heart disease in beagle dogs by speckle tracking echocardiography
title_full_unstemmed Quantitative evaluation of radiation-induced heart disease in beagle dogs by speckle tracking echocardiography
title_short Quantitative evaluation of radiation-induced heart disease in beagle dogs by speckle tracking echocardiography
title_sort quantitative evaluation of radiation induced heart disease in beagle dogs by speckle tracking echocardiography
topic Radiotherapy
Radiation-induced heart disease
Speckle tracking echocardiography
Ultrasound
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-025-04636-5
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