CLINICAL-CARDIOLOGICAL EXAMINATIONS OF TH E MITRAL-VALVE INSUFFICIENCY IN THE DOG

40 female and male dogs of different age and breed with chronic mitral -valve insufficiency were examined by means of clinical-cardiological methods. These results were compared with M-mode, two dimensional (2-D E) and doppler ultrasound techniques. The four groups of mitral-valve insufficiency (ETTINGER, 1989) showed the importance of clinical evalu ation, especially in group I. The location of the maximum sound-intens ity was found to be different from the location of the mitral valve-mu rmur established by JAKSCH und GLAWISCHNIG (1990). Sound radiation at the apex cordis was a common diagnosis. Left atrial enlargement was fo und at degree 3 of the murmur. The ECG results are demonstrated for ea ch clinical group. Early diagnosis of left heart enlargement in group I was the domaine of radiologic and doppler-ultrasound techniques. Lef t ventricular measurements were obtained by means of M-mode ultrasound . There was no significance change of Ventricular internal dimensions exept in group I. Shortening fraction (SF in %) demonstrated the stage of compensation or decompensation. 2-DE-results showed significant pr ogression in the stage of the disease. Left atrial dimensions increase d in progressive mitral valve insufficiency. Left atrial right-to left line (LA Right-Left) was found to be the ideal guideline for document ation of left atrial enlargement. The left atrial-aortic ratio (LA/AO) showed significant increase ony in group III and IV. Color-flow mappi ng doppler dedected regurgitation was obtained in early stages of the disease.