Effect of calibration methods on the accuracy of angiographic measurements during transcatheter procedures in dogs

Background Different methods to perform reference calibration of an angiographic image exist; however, a prospective comparison of calibration methods has yet to be investigated in veterinary medicine. Objective To compare angiographic measurements using two commonly employed reference calibration methods, an esophageal pigtail marker catheter (EC) versus a radiopaque table ruler (TR). Animals Thirty‐five client‐owned dogs undergoing transcatheter intervention. Methods Prospective comparison study. Two reference calibration methods, EC and TR, were recorded in dogs undergoing transcatheter procedures from May 2016 to July 2017. Relevant measurements were performed in triplicate and averaged after image calibration to either EC or TR. Comparisons between methods were made by correlation, paired t‐test, the method of Bland and Altman, and Passing‐Bablok regression. Results A total of 39 angiographic structures were measured. Interventions included balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty (n = 21), patent ductus arteriosus occlusion (n = 11), subaortic or sub‐pulmonary balloon dilatation (n = 4), and cor triatriatum membranostomy (n = 3). Angiographic measurements were larger when calibrated to EC versus TR (P