Right heart function assessed by myocardial strain: Study of the chronic pulmonary hypertension model

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15667
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 42020:Veterinary medical science-related
• Research Institution: Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University
• Principal Investigator: Suzuki Ryohei 日本獣医生命科学大学, 獣医学部, 助教 (80825216)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: 肺高血圧 / 右心機能 / 心筋ストレイン / 心エコー図検査 / 心不全 / 心臓カテーテル / イヌ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study targets the intractable disease of pulmonary hypertension, which can be life-threatening for patients, including dogs and humans. In addition, the purpose was to establish a non-invasive evaluation method by echocardiography called myocardial strain. As a research result, detailed pathophysiological evaluation using model animals was performed, and it was demonstrated that myocardial strain is useful for evaluation of the progression process and severity of pulmonary hypertension. We also established a new echocardiographic index that seems to be more useful than the conventional index, and published some academic papers. Furthermore, in the case of heart disease in cats, we examined the relationship between pulmonary hypertension and myocardial strain and worsening of the condition, and reported the usefulness of myocardial strain as a predictor of severity evaluation and the onset of heart failure.

Free Research Field

臨床獣医学、循環器病学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の主要な成果として、心筋ストレインという非侵襲的な心エコー図検査による指標を用いることで、詳細にかつ鋭敏に、肺高血圧症の病態進行が評価できることを報告した。このことは、難治性かつ生命を脅かす重要な循環器疾患である肺高血圧症の病態において、非侵襲的な心機能評価、治療方針の策定、また将来的には良好な臨床転帰や予後に貢献する可能性がある。また獣医療において、犬と並んで飼育頭数が多く、かつ循環器疾患が多発する猫の心筋症病態においても、心筋ストレインの有用性を複数実証した。