Correlation between radiographic and ecocardiographic findings suggestive of cardiomegaly in 104 dogs

ABSTRACT Thoracic radiographs and echocardiograms of 104 canines were evaluated and correlated regarding cardiac chambers enlargement. The radiographic findings were statistically correlated in order to establish the accuracy of the radiographic examination in the detection of cardiac enlargement in comparison with the echocardiogram - non-invasive gold standard. The correlation between the radiographic findings indicative of cardiac enlargement and echocardiographic indexes was weak, significant only for VHS versus left atrium to aorta ratio (r= 0.3136), short axis versus left atrium to aorta ratio (r= 0, 3813) and short axis versus E wave velocity (r= 0.2021). The radiographic accuracy in the subjective determination of cardiac chamber enlargement was reasonable, ranging from 72.1% to 80.8%. On the other hand, VHS presented low accuracy (50.9%) in the detection of cardiomegaly.