Newfoundlands
- Screening is for subaortic stenosis, dilated cardiomyopathy & other congenital heart disease.
- A minimum database should be obtained from right parasternal and subcostal views. Measurements must include M mode measurement of chamber size, sub costal aortic velocity (measure the average velocity over at least 5 cardiac cycles) and systolic function assessment, including volumes.
- Suggested screening ages : Age 2, 5 and 8 years for males. Age 2 and 5 years for females
- ECG must be performed during echocardiography. Atrial fibrillation is abnormal in any Newfoundland. If other arrhythmias are noted a Holter ECG is advised for definitive assessment.
- The following measurements are considered normal for Newfoundlands. Ejection fraction > 40%, fractional shortening >18%, ESVI>30ml/m2
The results for DCM assessment should be interpreted as follows.
| Findings |
Result |
| Normal size and function |
Normal |
| Enlarged and normal function
Normal size and reduced function |
Equivocal |
| Enlarged and reduced function |
Abnormal |
The results for aortic stenosis assessment should be interpreted as follows.
| Aortic velocity (m/s) |
Other findings |
Result |
| < 1.7 |
|
Normal |
| 1.7-2.2 |
No lesions |
Equivocal |
| 1.7-2.2 |
Lesions |
Abnormal |
| >2.2 |
|
Abnormal |
Findings (lesions) associated with aortic stenosis are :
-
- More than trivial aortic insufficiency
- The presence of a sub valvular aortic ridge
- A step up in velocity of more than 0.5m/s when pulsed wave doppler is used proximal to the aortic valve, at the aortic valve and distal to the aortic valve.