Evaluación ecocardiografica modo 2b y doppler vascular en pacientes positivos a dirofilaria immitis en el cantón Santa Rosa, 2024

Abstract

This study evaluated the utility of 2D echocardiography and vascular Doppler to detect cardiovascular alterations in dogs positive for Dirofilaria immitis in Santa Rosa, Ecuador. Twenty-two dogs diagnosed through serological tests were analyzed, classifying parasitic loads into four severity levels using the Venco system. Echocardiographic findings showed that 54.5% of the animals presented visible parasites, while 18.2% had severe infestations (score 4), characterized by pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular dilation, and tricuspid regurgitation. Additionally, TAPSE values, ventricular eccentricity index, and VP/AO ratio correlated the severity of infection with its impact on cardiac function. This study highlights the importance of echocardiography not only to confirm the diagnosis but also to stage the disease and monitor treatment response. Implementing echocardiographic evaluations in endemic areas and designing comprehensive therapeutic protocols could significantly improve the clinical management of heartworm disease in dogs, optimizing clinical outcomes and animal welfare.