Klinika dla Małych Zwierząt Wąsiatycz Cardiology Diagnostics

A cardiac examination begins with a thorough clinical examination and interview. Already based on the information obtained in this way, one can suspect the presence of certain cardiovascular diseases, which can be confirmed by further examinations.

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ECG – electrocardiographic examination

It is a graphic recording of the electrical activity of the heart. Based on the ECG recording, we primarily determine the heart rhythm, the frequency of ventricular and atrial contractions, any potential additional pathological ventricular contractions, or ventricular contraction deficits. Indirectly, we can determine heart muscle enlargement and electrolyte disturbances in the body that accompany other diseases (e.g., metabolic diseases, kidney and liver failure, hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism, etc.).

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Chest X-ray

It allows for the assessment of the heart's shape, its size, and its positioning within the chest. Additionally, the size and course of large blood vessels, bronchi, trachea, lung tissue, and mediastinal lymph nodes are evaluated. For a full assessment of the heart's shape and size, it is recommended to take chest X-rays in two views: lateral and ventrodorsal or dorsoventral.

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Cardiac ultrasound – heart echo

The examination allows for viewing the heart "from the inside." It enables the assessment of heart wall thickness, the size of the heart chambers (atria and ventricles), and heart muscle structure; one can observe the heart valves (their function and structure) and accurately assess the vessels entering and leaving the heart, e.g., the aorta. During this examination, measurements of heart structures are taken, which allow for the determination of the heart's degree of contractility, the so-called fractional shortening.

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Doppler examination

It is used to measure intracardiac pressures and the velocity of blood flow in the heart and blood vessels. This examination is decisive in cases of valve insufficiency or in the narrowing of the orifices of large blood vessels.

None of these examinations can be replaced by another. They are independent examinations, and each of them provides different data, which, when compiled, form the picture of the disease. They allow for a full diagnosis and the implementation of appropriate treatment. Of course, it is not necessary to perform all of these examinations in every case.

An important general examination that is necessary for establishing a full diagnosis and implementing appropriate cardiac treatment is a blood test (mainly liver profile, kidney profile, electrolyte levels). This examination is not a typical cardiac test, but it helps in safely establishing therapy using medications that, if used incorrectly, could endanger health.