The RVC Animal Care Trust funds non-invasive cardiology ultrasound
On Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day, the RVC’s charity reveals how a new advanced cardiac ultrasound system is helping to save lives at the RVC Small Animal Referrals Hospital. The powerful technology delivers high quality 3D imaging to examine cardiac patients and guide open heart surgeries. Fully-funded through donations from supporters of the RVC Animal Care Trust (ACT), the GE Vivid iq offers precision detail in imaging, enhancing the expertise of the RVC Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Services and increasing capacity.
The ACT has also funded specialist probes of different sizes which are inserted into the patient's oesophagus during surgery. These work with the ultrasound system to give a close-up view of the heart. Surgeons started using the new system this year and footage from a mitral valve repair surgery this week shows the detailed imaging demonstrating the impact of treatment within days of surgery.
Professor Daniel Brockman, Director of the RVC Cardiothoracic Surgery Service explains,
“The mitral valve annulus measured 12mm in this dog at the end of surgery. This is the two-day post op echo of a dog and the left atrium and left ventricle are both already 1cm smaller than pre-surgery.”
The new portable ultrasound increases capacity of the service, with high quality cardiac imaging available simultaneously in consult rooms and operating theatres for the first time. As it is portable it also helps us treat animals who are too sick to be moved around the hospital. RVC Cardiology Residents will use the ultrasound to practice their skills, while researchers can use it to inform genetic studies and treatments for heart disease. The GE Vivid iq is of benefit to patients, students and researchers – helping to improve veterinary care, education and treatments.
We are very grateful to our Memory Tree supporters, the EBM Charitable Trust, the Marjorie Coote Animal Charity Trust and individual donors who raised almost £70,000 for this fantastic equipment.
Extra information
1. For more information about Mitral Valve Disease please read the RVC's fact sheet.
2. You can find out more about the work of the RVC Animal Care Trust by joining their mailing list.
3. Everyone is welcome to dedicate a leaf on our Memory Tree to remember their pet and donate to the RVC’s Small Animal Referrals Hospital in their honour.