Celebrating Veterinary Cardiology: Chris Linney BVSc MSc CertAVP (VC) DipECVIM CA (Cardiology) MRCVS

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This February the University of Liverpool Veterinary Alumni Association are celebrating alumni who are passionate about veterinary cardiology. We caught up with alumnus Chris Linney (BVSc 2007), RCVS Specialist and European Specialist in small animal cardiology.

Did anyone inspire you while you were a student?

I graduated in 2007, making me one of the last to go through the old small animal hospital before it was moved to the Leahurst campus. My cardiology rotations were with (the now) Professor Jo Dukes McEwan, who exemplified the importance of retaining all the pre-clinical and clinical theories we learn to treat clinical cases. My fascination with diagnostic imaging led to me doing electives in cardiology and small animal medicine.

When did you know you were interested in cardiology?

After graduation, I joined a small animal practice in North East Lincolnshire, where I worked on clinical skills and case management before heading back to the University of Liverpool in 2009. I returned first as an intern, then as a resident, followed by a period as a clinical lecturer. I knew during my elective that specialisation in cardiology was something that interested me, and a supportive boss in my first job purchased a new ultrasound machine so that we could do high-end scans.

I became an RCVS Advanced Practitioner in Cardiology in 2013 and an RCVS-recognised specialist in veterinary cardiology in 2016. Since then, I have worked in some of the largest cardiology centres in the UK and developed an interest in minimally invasive cardiac surgery. This interest led me to complete a Master's in Interventional Cardiology at the University of Galway in 2021.

In addition to clinical work, I enjoy training and teaching cardiology to anyone who will listen! I am an honorary lecturer in cardiology at the University of Liverpool, providing assessments for the RCVS CertAVP in cardiology. I train and examine for Improve International, including their cardiology post-graduation qualifications. I also provide training for and examine residents in cardiology at the European College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Clinical research and its application to everyday cases has always been a passion of mine and I like to get involved in clinical research projects where I can.

My latest project is a contribution to a textbook on echocardiography, hopefully out next year; watch this space!

What advice would you give to someone who wants to follow in your footsteps?

There are many routes to post-graduate training, with the option of a certificate in cardiology as well as the option of pursuing specialisation in cardiology with the ultimate goal of being a recognised specialist. Both of these were rewarding for me but once I realised that I could be happy in my career focused purely on advanced cardiology, the trajectory was set.

I think there are three key steps for anyone who is keen to pursue specialisation:

  1. Continued learning and reading via books, courses and cardiology practice
  2. Experience through exposure to cases and by building a support network
  3. Mentoring to help guide and support you in your aspirations. I was really lucky to have this throughout my career and am always happy to do the same for aspiring cardiologists.

Spaces for advanced training are short in supply, so be prepared for the setbacks; the road to success can be a long and winding one in this profession. So, accept the bumps in the road, embrace the more challenging times, and be kind to yourself.

I saw a great quote at a recent conference I lectured at in the U.S.A.: "Dream big, start small, but most of all start". I think this is so true. If you have an interest, go exploring. Those of us who love to train or inspire are happy to help and make suggestions.

What is your top tip for cardiology in first opinion practice?

The importance of a murmur is different for different species and different ages:

For example, the presence of a murmur in a cat as an indicator of underlying heart disease is only as good as flipping a coin. Its presence may be due to non-structural causes, so an echocardiogram is always needed. Many cats will have heart disease in the absence of a murmur, and some can have really advanced heart disease with no murmur whatsoever.

For dogs, murmurs vary with the underlying condition. For mitral valve disease, the louder the murmur, the more likely there is remodelling of the heart. But, the rule is a guide, not an absolute correlation. Echocardiography is the best way to stage a murmur.

For puppies, innocent murmurs are low-grade (1 or 2). They are at the heart base on the left and they are only very early systolic murmurs. Anything above these parameters, or if there are clinical signs, warrants investigation. A grade 3-4 murmur or a loud murmur in the axilla (always palpate the chest before auscultating for a thrill) is significant and needs an echocardiogram.

Echocardiography is a great tool to get proficient with for all types of heart disease in small animals. There are many great courses and in-house training programmes on offer, including my own.

How can alumni follow what you're doing?

I post stories, interesting cases and clinical cardiology nuggets of wisdom on LinkedIn. You can follow and contact me there.

Thank you, Chris, for helping us celebrate veterinary cardiology and our alumni community. We look forward to sharing your success when the echocardiography textbook is in print!

Have you got an update you would like to share with your fellow alumni? Send your updates to ulvaa@liverpool.ac.uk.