Preliminary evaluation of m-mode, b-mode, and X-Strain® echocardiographic indices before and during therapy in dogs affected by dilated cardiomyopathy

Clinical examination and m-mode, b-mode, and two-dimensional Speckle Tracking evaluations with X-Strain® software were carried out in two dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy before and during therapy. During follow-up, the two dogs presented not only in better clinical condition, but also with improvements in mmode and b-mode indices, as well as increased values of strain and strain rate. Consequently, X-Strain® evaluation should be included in routine echocardiography to better understand the pathogenesis and evolution of disease characterized by reduced myocardial contractility, optimize the therapeutic protocol during follow-up, and contribute to finding the range of normal values for strain and strain rate in the dog.