Echocardiographic assessment and reference values of clinically healthy white storks (Ciconia ciconia) using transcoelomic approach

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Günay E., Gencer H., Telci D. Z., Deveci E. İ., Özkan E., Gündemir O.

POLISH JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCES, cilt.28, sa.3, ss.449-456, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 28 Sayı: 3
  • Basım Tarihi: 2025
  • Doi Numarası: 10.24425/pjvs.2025.156070
  • Dergi Adı: POLISH JOURNAL OF VETERINARY SCIENCES
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, MEDLINE, Veterinary Science Database
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.449-456
  • İstanbul Üniversitesi-Cerrahpaşa Adresli: Evet

Özet

This study aimed to determine species-specific echocardiographic parameters in rehabilitated and clin-

ically healthy white storks (Ciconia ciconia) using transcoelomic echocardiography, providing essential

reference values for avian cardiovascular assessment. Thirty-seven white storks admitted to the Istanbul

University-Cerrahpasa Veterinary Faculty Rehabilitation Center were evaluated after a 3-month observation

period. Only clinically healthy individuals were included. Echocardiographic measurements were per-

formed using a transcoelomic approach without anesthesia. Cardiac parameters, including interventricular

septal thickness (IVSd, IVSs), left ventricular dimensions (LVIDd, LVIDs, LVPWd, LVPWs), functional

indices (fractional shortening, ejection fraction), and Doppler-derived hemodynamic values, were recorded

and analyzed statistically. All individuals exhibited normal cardiac morphology and hemodynamics.

No significant differences were observed between male and female storks (p > 0.05). The ejection fraction

ranged from 23% to 97%, and interventricular septal thickness in diastole (IVSd) was between 0.27 and

0.86 cm. Fractional shortening varied from 14% to 75%. Hemodynamic measurements, including mitral

valve inflow velocities and aortic flow parameters, were comparable to values reported in other large avian

species. No pathological jet flow or valvular regurgitation was detected via color Doppler imaging.

This study establishes the first echocardiographic reference ranges for white storks, offering valuable

insights into avian cardiac physiology. The findings contribute to wildlife rehabilitation, providing a diag-

nostic baseline for assessing cardiovascular health in migratory birds. Future studies incorporating larger

sample sizes and age-based comparisons will enhance our understanding of species-specific cardiac adaptations.