Uso da termografia na avaliação clínica de cães e gatos cardiopatas.

Abstract

The objective of this dissertation was to seek the use of thermographic imaging in dog and cat clinics. To this end, it was divided into two chapters. Chapter I addresses a qualitative synthesis by carrying out a systematic literature review on the use of infrared thermography in small animal clinics, providing support for future studies on this topic. The research was carried out in the Periódicos Capes, Google Scholar (GA), National Library of Medicine (PubMed) and Web of Science databases. In view of this, there was a combination of terms in English, which were: “thermographic images OR thermographic imaging AND canine OR dogs AND feline OR cats.”, using the search form specific to each platform, in Portuguese or English, originating in Brazil or any other country, describing the use of thermographic imaging in small animal clinics. Data on this technology in small animals is still unclear. It was concluded that thermography proves to be a practical and non-invasive resource that provides information previously obtained only through invasive exams, or with high financial value and high complexity. While chapter II shows a research project demonstrating the applicability of this technology in chronic and acute heart diseases in dogs and cats. The animals were selected from the routine of the Small Animal Medical Clinic of the Prof. University Veterinary Hospital. Ivon Macedo Tabosa (UFCG), with clinical signs of congestive heart failure, where the following pathologies were evaluated: mitral valve degeneration, pulmonary arterial hypertension, atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia and feline arterial thromboembolism. Cardiovascular exams were performed: electrocardiography (ECG), Doppler echocardiography (ECHO), measurement of systolic, mean and diastolic blood pressure (BP) and thermographic image capture. The clinical evolution was monitored after the institution of treatment with the analysis of these parameters for fifteen days, at the time of the consultation, seven days after starting treatment and fifteen days after starting the therapeutic protocol. Physiological parameters and blood pressures showed no changes. The electrocardiographic results followed with atrial fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia in two animals at the time of diagnosis, one with mitral valve degeneration and the other with extracardiac neoplasia; these two changes were corrected therapeutically. The ECHO showed atrial remodeling and an increase in the left ventricular cavity during diastole in the animals with mitral valve degeneration, and a reduction in the ejection fraction in the two animals with arrhythmias in the first moment. After fifteen days of treatment, the animals diagnosed with arrhythmia already had sinus rhythm and ejection fraction with desirable values. It was not possible to perform an echocardiogram on the feline with thromboembolism, as it died suddenly 48 hours after diagnosis. The thermographic image showed no difference in surface temperature between the regions studied in the dogs and also no difference between moments immediately after diagnosis and fifteen days after treatment. The feline affected by arterial thromboembolism demonstrated a difference in surface temperature between the pelvic limbs, compared to the limbs. thoracic and abdominal region. It was concluded that thermography in dogs did not show the same efficiency in chronic circulatory changes nor was it possible to perform an early diagnosis of 8 existing compensatory circulatory changes, and is not a suitable tool for patients with CHF in the chronic phase. However, for cats suffering from thromboembolism, thermography appears to be a useful, easy, non-invasive and instantaneous method for detecting thromboembolism. According to the data obtained, this dissertation concluded several applicability of this tool in acute pathologies. However, in chronic pathologies, such as congestive heart failure, there have not been good results so far, and more studies are needed on various topics related to thermography. Among them the standardization of thermographic images in small animals.