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Two-Dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic findings in healthy non-sedated red-eared slider terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans)

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Abstract

Echocardiographic evaluation was performed in six healthy young adult non-sedated terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans). The best imaging quality was obtained through the right cervical window. Base-apex inflow and outflow views were recorded, ventricular size, ventricular wall thickness and ventricular outflow tract were measured, and fractional shortening was calculated. Pulsed-wave Doppler interrogation enabled the diastolic biphasic atrio-ventricular flow and the systolic ventricular outflow patterns to be recorded. The following Doppler-derived functional parameters were calculated: early diastolic (E) and late diastolic (A) wave peak velocities, E/A ratio, ventricular outflow systolic peak and mean velocities and gradients, Velocity-Time Integral, acceleration and deceleration times, and Ejection Time. For each parameter the mean, standard deviation and 95% confidence interval were calculated. Echocardiography resulted as a useful and easy-to-perform diagnostic tool in this poorly known species that presents difficulties during evaluation.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Prof. Carlo Guglielmini for his invaluable assistance during the revision of the manuscript and to Dr. Luca Finotti for his excellent job in drawing Figs. 1a and 2a.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, University of Padua, Viale dell’Università, 16, 35020, Legnaro, PD, Italy

    H. Poser, G. Russello, A. Zanella, L. Bellini & D. Gelli

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  1. H. Poser
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  2. G. Russello
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  3. A. Zanella
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  4. L. Bellini
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  5. D. Gelli
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Correspondence to H. Poser.

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Poser, H., Russello, G., Zanella, A. et al. Two-Dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic findings in healthy non-sedated red-eared slider terrapins (Trachemys scripta elegans). Vet Res Commun 35, 511–520 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-011-9495-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-011-9495-5

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