B-mode echocardiography features, measurements and echo mean values in captive reticulated pythons, Python reticulatus (Schneider, 1831) (Reptilia: Squamata: Pythonidae)

Issue Date

1-2012

Abstract

B-mode echocardiography was conducted in 12 apparently healthy captive reticulated pythons, 4 males and 8 females, weighing of 3.5-14.4 kg, using an ultrasound machine equipped with a 5.0 MHz linear array transducer to determine the ultrasound features, cardiac measurements and echo mean (E-mean) values of the different cardiac structures. The heart was viewed at the caudal portion of the cranial first quarter of the body. The ventricle, left atrium, right atrium, sinus venosus, pulmonary trunk and the three ventricular cavities, namely, ventral cavum pulmonale, right dorsal cavum venosum and left dorsal cavum arteriosum as well as the muscular ridges, primarily the horizontal septum of the ventricle, were visualized in longitudinal scans as hypoechoic structures. The lumen of the different chambers appeared anechoic. Transverse scans from the apex to the base revealed the three ventricular cavities, horizontal septum, sinus venosus, left and right atria and efferent trunks. The measurements and echo mean values of the different structures were obtained. The hypoechoic wall of the different cardiac structures had higher echo mean value than their corresponding lumen. The results of the present study can be used as reference for diagnosis of cardiac diseases and disorders in reticulated pythons.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Journal of Veterinary Medicine

ISSN

0031-7705

Volume

49

Issue

1

Page

8-14

Document Type

Article

Language

English

Subject

Echo mean, Echocardiography, Heart, Reticulated python, Ultrasound

Digital Copy

yes

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