Echocardiography in the bovine animal

Abstract

Echocardiograms were obtrained from 15 standing clinically normal cows using an ultrasonic recording device. The echo beam penetrated the right thoracic wall in the area of the fourth intercostal space with a frequency of 2.25 MH3.  Left ventricular wall thickness measured 2.00 +/- .19 cm while the septal dimension was slightly higher at 2.24 +/- .26 cm. Velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (Vcf), and index of contractility, was .87 +/- .4 m/s and minor axis shortening fraction (% delta D), and indicator of pump frunction, was 43.5 +/- 5.8%.