Caudal vena cava-to-aorta ratio in hemodynamically stable and unstable client-owned rabbits.

CVC:Ao ratios predict hemodynamic instability in rabbits with reasonable diagnostic accuracy.

This retrospective cohort study evaluated the feasibility and clinical utility of measuring caudal vena cava (CVC) and aorta dimensions on non-contrast CT scans in 49 scans from 46 rabbits. The CVC-to-aorta (CVC:Ao) ratio was successfully measured in 100% of thoracic and 87.8% of abdominal locations. The study found that abdominal CVC:Ao ratio and the difference between abdominal and thoracic ratios were significant predictors of hemodynamic instability, with 6-fold and 8-fold increased odds respectively for each unit increase. Notably, hemodynamically unstable rabbits demonstrated decreased thoracic CVC:Ao ratios and increased abdominal ratios, likely due to gastric compression on the vena cava. Vessel dimensions were larger and less circular in the thorax compared to the abdomen in diseased rabbits. These findings suggest CVC:Ao ratios can serve as valuable diagnostic indicators for assessing hemodynamic status in rabbits, particularly those with conditions like intestinal obstruction.

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