--- title: Newsletter October 2017 --- - [Home](http://www.cvcavets.com/) - About Us - [Admin Directory](http://www.cvcavets.com/staff-category/admin-team/) - [Core Values](http://www.cvcavets.com/about-us/core-values/) - [Giving Back](http://www.cvcavets.com/about-us/giving-back/) - [History](https://www.cvcavets.com/about-us/history/) - [Media Inquiries / News](http://www.cvcavets.com/about-us/news/) - [Resource Links](http://www.cvcavets.com/about-us/resource-links/) - [Staff Directory](http://www.cvcavets.com/staff_directory/) - [Our Doctors](https://www.cvcavets.com/doctor_directory/) - [Diseases & Conditions](http://www.cvcavets.com/diseases-conditions/) - Pet Owners - [Why CVCA](http://www.cvcavets.com/for-pet-owners/why-cvca/) - [\*New Patient Registration Form](http://www.cvcavets.com/for-pet-owners/new-patient-registration/) - [What to Expect: Initial Consultation](https://www.cvcavets.com/for-pet-owners/initial-consultation-appointment-benefits/) - [10 Signs of Heart Disease](http://www.cvcavets.com/10-signs-heart-disease-dogs-cats/) - 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[Pet Nutrition Resources, Grain-Free](https://www.cvcavets.com/for-veterinarians/nutrition-grain-free/) - [Online CE Opportunities](http://www.cvcavets.com/conferences-events/) - [Supply Request - Client Handouts](https://www.cvcavets.com/supply-request-form-2/) - [Careers](https://www.cvcavets.com/careers/) - [Blog](https://blog.cvcavets.com/blog) # The Murmur Newsletter - February 2018          The Vertebral Heart Scale     ****By: Gina Pasieka, DVM, Diplomate, ACVIM (Cardiology)****   The Vertebral Heart Scale (VHS) system was developed as a means of evaluating radiographic cardiac silhouette size by indexing heart size to body size using thoracic vertebrae as units of measure. Originally described by Dr. Buchanan, et al in 1991 for the use in dogs, it has since been substantiated in cats, ferrets and other exotic species. It is a quick diagnostic measurement that can be easily added to your daily practice. **How Can We Use VHS?** -VHS can be a useful tool when combined with history and physical exam findings to increase suspicion for the presence of heart disease or to monitor for progression over time. We know that Cavaliers with a VHS >12, with a sudden increased VHS rate of change, were diagnosed with CHF within a 9 month period. -A VHS >9.3 was found to be highly specific for the presence of CHF in cats with dyspnea. The same study also determined that dyspneic cats with a VHS <8.0 were unlikely to be in heart failure. -Both the PROTECT (treatment of preclinical DCM) and EPIC (treatment of preclinical MR disease) studies utilized an increased VHS as part of the criteria in determining the appropriate time to start Pimobendan. **Calculating Vertebral Heart Scale** 1. Preferentially use a right lateral thoracic radiograph with T4-T12 vertebra clearly visible 2. Take the long axis measurement measuring from the carina of the mainstem bronchus to the apex of the cardiac silhouette 3. Take the short axis measurement at the widest part of the cardiac silhouette perpendicular to the long axis measurement.  For serial radiographic VHS comparison, it is often prudent to select an anatomic landmark for repeatability.  The approximate ventral aspect of the caudal vena cava is often chosen as this specific landmark. 4. Transfer both the long and short axis measurements separately starting at the cranial edge of T4 and count the number of vertebrae that fall within the caliper points 5. Add the two measurements: VHS = W + L     **Quick Reference** | **Dog** | **Extent of Cardiomegaly** | **Cat** | | --- | --- | --- | | 8.5-10.7 | Normal | 6.8-8.1 | | 10.8-11.9 | Mild | 8.2-8.5 | | 12.0-12.9 | Moderate | 8.6-8.9 | | 13.0-14.0 | Severe | 9.0-10.0 | | >14.0 | Extreme | >10.0 |   **Known Breed Normals** While the initial study determined normal VHS in dogs to be 8.5-10.7, other studies have shown some breed variations.  You will note that some breed normals lie well outside the originally documented “normal” VHS.     | **Breed** | **Normal** | **Reference** | | --- | --- | --- | | **American Pit Bull Terrier** | 10.9 +/- 0.4 | Lahm et al 2011 | | **Beagle** | 10.5 +/- 0.4 | Kraetschmer et al 2008 | | **Belgian Malinois** | 9.58 +/- 0.53 | Almeida et al 2015 | | **Boston Terrier** | 11.7 +/- 1.4 | Jepsen-Grant et al 2013 | | **Boxer** | 11.6 +/- 0.8 | Lamb et al 2002 | | **Bulldog** | 12.7 +/- 1.7 | Jepsen-Grant et al 2013 | | **Cavalier King Charles** | 10.6 +/- 0.5 | Lamb et al 2001 | | **Dachshund** | 9.7 +/- 0.5 | Jepsen-Grant et al 2013 | | **Doberman** | 10.0 +/- 0.6 | Lamb et al 2002 | | **German Shepherd** | 9.7 +/- 0.8 | Lamb et al 2001 | | **Labrador** | 10.39 +/- 0.05 | Jepsen-Grant et al 2013 | | **Lhasa Apso** | 9.6 +/- 0.8 | Jepsen-Grant et al 2013 | | **Pomeranian** | 10.5 +/- 0.9 | Jepsen-Grant et al 2013 | | **Poodle** | 10.12 +/- 0.51 | Fonsecapinto et al 2004 | | **Pug** | 10.7 +/- 0.9 | Jepsen-Grant et al 2013 | | **Rottweiler** | 9.8 +/- 0.1 | Marin et al 2007 | | **Shih tzu** | 9.5 +/- 0.6 | Jepsen-Grant et al 2013 | | **Whippet** | 10.8 +/- 0.6 | Bavegems et al 2005 | | **Yorkie** | 9.9 +/- 0.6 | Jepsen-Grant et al 2013 |   **Other Factors Affecting VHS  ** - Some studies have shown a very mild increase in VHS when measuring from the right vs. left lateral radiographs. Consider using the same projection when doing serial monitoring. - Hemivertebrae could alter the measurement resulting in Bulldogs having higher VHS. - There is an association between higher VHS and increased body condition scores - Pericardial effusion in dogs was associated with VHS > 12, but it should also be associated with an increase in sphericity. - Chronic moderate to severe anemia in both dogs and cats results in compensatory volume overload with an associated increase in VHS. - Studies have shown normal VHS in puppies over 3 months of age while kittens maintain a higher VHS until 9 months of age.   **\*\*\*\***See last page for Works Cited Sections for “The Vertebral Heart Scale”        ---   **We Offer Payment Options and Flexibility**     For more information, visit [https://www.cvcavets.com/for-pet-owners/payment-options/](https://www.cvcavets.com/for-pet-owners/payment-options/)   Questions, email us at [info@cvcavets.com](mailto:info@cvcavets.com) ---   ****Follow us on Social Media:   ******  [![facebook-color](https://info.cvcavets.com/hs-fs/hubfs/facebook-color.png?width=38&name=facebook-color.png)](https://www.facebook.com/CVCAVETS/)     [![twitter-color](https://info.cvcavets.com/hs-fs/hubfs/twitter-color.png?width=36&name=twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/CVCAVets)    [![Instagram_App_Large_May2016_200.png](https://d1yoaun8syyxxt.cloudfront.net/ec169-8c9a3834-0c3c-452c-a51d-56badef1cf9f-v2 "Instagram_App_Large_May2016_200.png")](https://www.instagram.com/cvcavets/)**   --- **Works Cited Sections for “The Vertebral Heart Scale”** 1. Summerfield NJ, Boswood A, O’Grady MR, et al. Efficacy of pimobendan in the prevention of congestive heart failure or sudden death in Doberman pinschers with preclinical dilated cardiomyopathy (the PROTECT Study). *JVIM*. 2012;26(6):1337-1349. 2. Lord P, Hansson K, Kvart C, et al. Rate of change of heart size before congestive heart failure in dogs with mitral regurgitation.* J Small Anim Pract.* 2010;51(4):210-218. 3. Lord PF, Hansson K, Carnabuci C, Kvart C, Häggström J. Radiographic heart size and its rate of increase as tests for onset of congestive heart failure in Cavalier King Charles spaniels with mitral valve regurgitation. *JVIM*. 2011;25(6):1312-1319. 4. Guglielmini C, Diana A, Pietra M, Di Tommaso M, Cipone M. Use of the vertebral heart score in coughing dogs with chronic degenerative mitral valve disease. *J Vet Med Sci.* 2009;71(1):9-13. 5. Sleeper MM, Roland R, Drobatz KJ. Use of the vertebral heart scale for differentiation of cardiac and noncardiac causes of respiratory distress in cats: 67 cases (2002-2003). *JAVMA*. 2013;242(3):366-371.  6. Buchanan JW, Bücheler J. Vertebral scale system to measure canine heart size in radiographs. *JAVMA*. 1995;206(2):194-199. 7. Jepsen-Grant K, Pollard RE, Johnson LR. Vertebral heart scores in eight dog breeds. *Vet Radiol Ultrasound.* 2013;54(1):3-8. 8. Lamb CR, Wikeley H, Boswood A, Pfeiffer DU. Use of breed-specific ranges for the vertebral heart scale as an aid to the radiographic diagnosis of cardiac disease in dogs. *Vet Rec.* 2001;148(23):707-711. 9. Bavegems V, Van Caelenberg A, Duchateau L, Sys SU, Van Bree H, De Rick A. Vertebral heart size ranges specific for whippets. *Vet Radiol Ultrasound.* 2005;46(5):400-403.  10. Litster AL, Buchanan JW. Vertebral scale system to measure heart size in radiographs of cats. *JAVMA*. 2000;216(2):210-214. 11. Hansson K, Häggström J, Kvart C, Lord P. Interobserver variability of vertebral heart size measurements in dogs with normal and enlarged hearts. *Vet Radiol Ultrasound.* 2005;46(2):122-130. 12. Guglielmini C, Diana A, Santarelli G, et al. Accuracy of radiographic vertebral heart score and sphericity index in the detection of pericardial effusion in dogs. *JAVMA*. 2012;241(8):1048-1055. 13. Wilson HE, Jasani S, Wagner TB, et al. Signs of left heart volume overload in severely anaemic cats.* J Feline Med Surg.* 2010;12(12):904-909. 14. Greco A, Meomartino L, Raiano V, Fatone G, Brunetti A. Effect of left versus right recumbency on the vertebral heart score in normal dogs. *Vet Radiol Ultrasound.* 2008;49(5):454-455.    **Questions?** Talk to a CVCA Team Member [View All CVCA Locations & Contact Information](http://www.cvcavets.com/our-locations/) - CVCA Resources - [› Diseases & Conditions](http://www.cvcavets.com/diseases-conditions/) - [› For Pet Owners](http://www.cvcavets.com/for-pet-owners/why-cvca/) - [› For Veterinarians](http://www.cvcavets.com/for-veterinarians/why-cvca/) - [› For Technicians](http://www.cvcavets.com/for-veterinarians/why-cvca/) [Prescription Refill](http://www.cvcavets.com/prescription-refill-request/) [Make an Appointment](http://www.cvcavets.com/schedule-an-appointment/) [Give us Your Feedback](https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/cvcaclient?sm=%2fenYTm7uWcopG8bN8D7KFA%3d%3d) ![dog](https://info.cvcavets.com/hubfs/CVCA_December2017/footer-dog.png) ©2017, CVCA - Cardiac Care for Pets. All Rights Reserved.