It is important to accurately measure septal wall thickness with echocardiography, because left ventricular hypertrophy occurs in many of the heart diseases we see in small animals.
Wall thickness measurements are particularly important in feline patients, because hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a disease which causes thickening of the heart walls – is so prevalent in cats.
Overestimating wall thickness can lead to an incorrect diagnosis, and perhaps even unnecessary medication – although checking of other parameters such as left atrial size and diastolic function should protect against such an error.
In the video below, I demonstrate how easily septal wall thickness can be overestimated in the right parasternal long axis view. This view is now the recommended view for wall thickness measurements in cats.
It is really common with echocardiography to become stuck in a rut, and feel you are unable to progress. It’s rarely from want of trying; like most people, you have probably gone through periods of attending webinars, courses or lectures, only to feel your confidence slowly drain away from you again as you return to clinic.
Echocardiography is a particularly challenging type of ultrasound imaging, not only because it’s so dynamic, but because of the interdependence of almost everything inside the system that is the heart, which can make interpretation feel overwhelming.
We have tried-and-tested methods (through over a decade of teaching echocardiography at all levels) for breaking complex concepts down, and bringing you permanent confidence with your imaging and interpretation.
If you would like to find out how our Confidence in Echocardiography lifelong programme works, book a free call with Catherine or Matthew here. Please take the time to think about what your biggest struggles with echocardiography are at the moment, so that we can discuss these during the call, and make a plan to overcome them.
© 2026 | AUA – All Rights Reserved
