Técnica e parâmetros ecocardiográficos em tamanduás-mirins (Tamandua tetradactyla) de vida livre

Abstract

This paper describes the technique for performing echocardiography in collared anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla) and the echocardiographic values found in healthy free-ranging animals. Eight animals were submitted to echocardiographic examination through the left parasternal window to perform four cuts of the cardiac silhouette, two transversal (heart base and left ventricle) and two longitudinal (4 chambers and 5 chambers). The systolic and diastolic values of the left ventricle obtained in Mmode, the contractility data (ejection fraction and shortening) and the diameter of the aorta and left atrium were associated with the respective body weights and submitted to a correlation study and linear regressions to obtain of representative equations for each association. These same associations were performed with canine data to compare and verify possible relationships and extrapolations between dogs and collared anteaters. Transverse and pulmonary artery scans could not be obtained in healthy animals in right parasternal windowing, while transverse sections could be performed without damage in left parasternal windowing in an adapted position. The correlations between the echocardiographic parameters and the weight of the collared anteaters proved to be reliable and can be used as a simulation model (confidence level greater than 95%) to evaluate LVDd, LVDs, PWDd, PWDs and AO. In the case of IVSd and IVSs, extrapolation of data found in canines of similar weight is recommended. The ejection fraction and shortening data varied within the normal range for dogs.