Aortic endocarditis associated with a perforated septal membranous aneurysm in a boxer dog

Perimembranous ventricular septal defect is a common congenital heart disease in the dog. It can partially or completely close with age by development of a membranous ventricular septal aneurysm. Aortic endocarditis is a reported complication of ventricular septal defect and membranous ventricular septal aneurysm in human beings. This report describes a case of aortic endocarditis associated with a membranous ventricular septal aneurysm perforated by a small ventricular septal defect in a boxer dog.     

Surgical correction of a partial atrioventricular septal defect with a ventricular septal defect in a dog

Echocardiography of a dog with a cardiac murmur revealed an ostium primum septal defect, a ventricular septal defect, and mitral valve malformation with regurgitation. The mitral valve and tricuspid valve were separated and displaced at the same level as the ventricular septum. The mitral valve had a cleft in the septal cusp. Cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography showed a left-to-right shunt and a "goose-neck sign," which indicated an elongated left ventricular outflow tract. The diagnosis of a partial atrioventricular septal defect with ventricular septal defect was made. Surgical correction was successfully performed under extracorpo-real circulation using a cardiopulmonary bypass system.     

Patent ductus arteriosus ligation and pulmonary artery banding in a kitten

Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) and ventricular septal defect were diagnosed in a 2-month-old, 0.9-kg, male kitten. This combination of PDA and ventricular septal defect in a cat has not been previously described. Surgical ligation of the PDA, together with palliation of the ventricular septal defect by pulmonary artery banding with a silastic band, successfully improved the kitten's condition.     

Tetralogy of Fallot and atrial septal defect in a white Bengal Tiger cub (Panthera tigris tigris)

A 3-week-old female white Bengal Tiger cub (Panthera tigris tigris) presented with acute onset tachypnoea, cyanosis and hypothermia. The cub was severely hypoxaemic with a mixed acid–base disturbance. Echocardiography revealed severe pulmonic stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, high membranous ventricular septal defect and an overriding aorta. Additionally, an atrial septal defect was found on necropsy, resulting in the final diagnosis of Tetralogy of Fallot with an atrial septal defect (a subclass of Pentalogy of Fallot). This report is the first to encompass arterial blood gas analysis, thoracic radiographs, echocardiography and necropsy findings in a white Bengal Tiger cub diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot with an atrial septal defect.     

Congenital cardiac defects in calves

In a 14-year study of calves with cardiac defects, 36 had 78 congenital cardiac defects: ectopia cordia cervicalis (n = 10 defects), common aortic trunk (n = 3 defects), dextraposed aorta (n = 8 defects), duplicated major trunks (n = 1 defect), hypoplastic aorta (n = 2 defects), interventricular septal defect (n = 11), interatrial septal defect (n = 2), left ventricular hypoplasia (n = 10), patent ductus arteriosus (n = 5), patent foramen ovale (n = 5), right ventricular hypoplasia (n = 10), cor triloculare biatriatum (n = 1), endocardial fibroelastosis with calcification (n = 3), and valvular hematomas (n = 7). All septal defects were high in location and ranged from 5 to 35 mm in diameter. One calf with a septal defect also had bilateral microphthalmia.     

Ventricular Septal Defect Repair

Twelve dogs and one cat were operated to close a ventricular septal defect. The method of patient selection, associated lesions, techniques used to correct the defect and significance to the total population of small animals with congenital lesions is discussed. Ten of 13 animals survived surgery. When indicated, this procedure can be safely performed to correct ventricular septal defect.     

Transcatheter closure of a small atrial septal defect with an Amplatzer™ patent foramen ovale occluder in a working dog with cyanosis and exercise intolerance at high altitude

A 6.5-year-old male Border Collie presented for transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect due to exercise intolerance and cyanosis while working and training at altitude. A small, left-to-right shunting secundum atrial septal defect was confirmed with no evidence of significant right-sided volume overload. Pulmonary hypertension with subsequent right-to-left interatrial shunting occurring during exercise at high altitude was suspected and prompted the closure of the defect due to the dog's continued athletic requirements. The anatomy of the defect prompted use of a patent foramen ovale occluder rather than an atrial septal defect occluder, which was deployed using a combination of fluoroscopic and transesophageal echocardiographic guidance. The owner did not report continued exercise intolerance or cyanosis and the dog's lifestyle and residence at altitude was unchanged.     

Trifoliate left atrioventricular valve with and without intact septal structures in four dogs: echocardiographic findings and surgical repair

Trifoliate left atrioventricular (AV) valve with common atrioventricular junction is considered part of the spectrum of atrioventricular septal defect. This valve morphology is typically associated with defects in the AV septum resulting in communication at the atrial or ventricular level, but has also been described as an isolated defect in the setting of a common AV junction without AV septal defect. Trifoliate left AV valve exhibits a line of apposition between the bridging leaflets that is directed toward the inlet interventricular septum, distinguishing it from isolated mitral valve cleft in which the orientation of the bridging leaflets are toward the left ventricular outflow tract. The echocardiographic findings of four dogs with trifoliate left AV valve are described; two with intact septal structures and two with large ostium primum defects. Three dogs underwent open surgical repair using different approaches depending on the presence or absence of a septal defect. One of these underwent concurrent surgical repair for right AV valve dysplasia. One dog with intact septal structures underwent interventional closure of a concurrent patent ductus arteriosus. Current terminology associated with trileaflet left AV valve malformations is reviewed.     

Aortic regurgitation in the dog.

In a review of aortic regurgitation in 12 dogs, breed or sex predilection was not found. Clinical signs included decreased exercise tolerance and diastolic murmur. Associated anomalies included ventricular septal defect and aortic stenosis. It was concluded that when aortic regurgitation develops secondary to a ventricular septal defect, the prognosis should be grave.     

Role of computed tomography angiography in the differentiation of feline truncus arteriosus communis from pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect

Two domestic shorthair cats, a 6-month-old castrated male and a 7-month-old intact female, were diagnosed with complex congenital heart disease. Transthoracic echocardiography in both cats revealed a dilated arterial trunk overriding the interventricular septum with a large ventricular septal defect. The pulmonary trunk and branch pulmonary arteries were not visible using standard echocardiographic views in either cat. The differential diagnosis for both cats included truncus arteriosus communis vs. pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect. Each cat underwent computed tomography angiography to determine the origin and extent of the pulmonary blood supply and to better define extra-cardiac anatomy. Computed tomography angiography led to a diagnosis of truncus arteriosus communis with unrestricted pulmonary blood flow in one cat, whereas the other cat was diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect and major aortopulmonary collaterals serving as the primary source of pulmonary blood flow. Computed tomography angiography allowed for the ante mortem differentiation of truncus arteriosus communis from pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect in these two cats, leading to an accurate diagnosis and providing valuable information to therapeutic decision-making for each case.     

Pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect with aortopulmonary collaterals in an adult dog

Pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (PA-VSD) was diagnosed in a 2-year-old castrated male Terrier mix. Transthoracic echocardiography identified a large ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta and severe right ventricular hypertrophy. A main pulmonary artery could not be identified, consistent with pulmonary atresia or persistent truncus arteriosus. Transesophageal echocardiography and angiography confirmed PA-VSD with aortopulmonary collateral circulation arising from the descending thoracic aorta. This case report describes the antemortem diagnosis of the rare congenital defect PA-VSD in an adult dog.     

Congenital pericardial diaphragmitic hernia and multiple cardiac defects in a litter of collies

Four Collie littermates had multiple cardiac and diaphragmatic anomalies. Ventricular septal defect was found in 3, pulmonic stenosis in 2, atrial septal defect in 1, mitral regurgitaion in 1, and pericardial diaphragmatic hernia in 3. Five additional littermates died within 72 hours of birth but were not necropsied. On the basis of available evidence, it was believed that the defects were congenital but not hereditary.     

Hypoplastic left ventricular syndrome in a foal

A necropsy diagnosis of hypoplastic left ventricular syndrome was made in a day-old foal. The cardiac abnormalities included mitral and aortic valve atresia, patent ductus arteriosus, and a secundum atrial septal defect. The left ventricle was hypoplastic and nonfunctional. The brief survival of the foal was a consequence of left-to-right shunting through the atrial septal defect and right-to-left shunting through the patent ductus. The information is presented to demonstrate the existence of the syndrome as a congenital defect in the horse and to clarify the necropsy findings for the practitioner to diagnose if seen.     

Antibiotics: Their application in veterinary practice

A 3-week-old Thoroughbred colt was presented for weakness and cyanosis. A pansystolic regurgitant murmur and other physical findings suggested that the foal developed pulmonary oedema as a consequence of congenital heart disease. A large atria1 septal defect, a high ventricular septal defect and dysplasia of the atrioventricular valves were visualised echocardiographically. A persistent common atrioventricular canal was observed at necropsy.     

Common atrioventricular canal in a foal

A 3-week-old Thoroughbred colt was presented for weakness and cyanosis. A pansystolic regurgitant murmur and other physical findings suggested that the foal developed pulmonary oedema as a consequence of congenital heart disease. A large atrial septal defect, a high ventricular septal defect and dysplasia of the atrioventricular valves were visualised echocardiographically. A persistent common atrioventricular canal was observed at necropsy.     

Persistent left cranial vena cava associated with multiple congenital anomalies in a six-week-old puppy

A six-week-old male puppy was presented with a distended abdomen, dypsnoea and cyanosis. Auscultation revealed a grade II/VI systolic murmur. Thoracic radiographs showed gross cardiomegaly. An electrocardiogram revealed a narrow-complex tachycardia, deep S waves in leads I, II, III and aVF, and negative P a waves in lead III. Two-dimensional echocardiography showed a high ventricular septal defect and marked dilation of the right-sided chambers. There was also an echolucent structure lateral to the left atrium at a site corresponding to the coronary sinus. Contrast echocardiography revealed right-to-left shunting through the septal defect. Necropsy confirmed the existence of a septal defect in the membranous part of the septum and a persistent left cranial vena cava with dilation of the coronary sinus. In addition, a small patent t ductus arteriosus and tricuspid dysplasia were present.     

Ventricular septal defect in a houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii)

A ventricular septal defect was found in a juvenile captive-bred houbara bustard (Chlamydotis undulata) that died suddenly. The case history indicated that the bird had a retarded growth and maturation rate. Gross pathology demonstrated massive internal hemorrhage, an enlarged heart with an interventricular septal defect, one shrunken liver lobe, and hypoplastic kidneys. Histologically, the liver was characterized by fatty degeneration, and there was hydropic degeneration of the cardiac muscle fibers. We suggest that the occurrence of this defect led to cardiac insufficiency, which resulted in sudden death caused by hemorrhage from the liver.     

Cardiac conotruncal malformations in a family of beagle dogs

O bjectives : To study forms of congenital heart disease present in a family of beagle dogs with a strong prevalence of ventricular septal defect and to document the pathological findings associated with the ventricular septal defects and investigate the mode of transmission.
M ethods : The animals were investigated by physical examination, radiography, electrocardiography and ultrasonography to diagnose the presence of congenital heart disease. Some animals were diagnosed at post-mortem examination and the dead animals underwent post-mortem examination to verify the presence of ventricular septal defect. An analysis of pedigree was undertaken and two of the affected animals were mated to investigate the mode of transmission.
R esults : Among the 28 dogs evaluated clinically or by post-mortem examination, 14 cases of ventricular septal defect were identified. The post-mortem examination showed some abnormalities of the ventricular outflow region associated with malformation of conotruncal septum development. When two affected dogs were bred, congenital heart disease was present in all of the offspring.
C linical S ignificance : The congenital heart disease identified in this beagle family can be classified as conotruncal malformation, and an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance was suggested by pedigree analysis.     

Atrial septal defect of the persistent ostium primum type with hypoplastic right ventricle in a Welsh pony foal.

Valvular competency of the foramen ovale (patent foramen ovale) is regarded as a common finding in the neonatal foal and usually occurs in isolation. True atrial septal defects appear to be uncommon and are usually associated with other congenital cardiac lesions. The present report describes a case of atrial septal defect type 1 (persistent ostium primum) complicated by hypoplastic right ventricle, and tricuspid dysplasia, in a Welsh Mountain pony foal, and discusses the embryogenesis of the abnormality. A critical review of the literature suggests that atrial septal defects may occur more frequently than they are reported, and that on occasion they may be described erroneously as patent foramen ovale. The clinical significance of uncomplicated discontinuity of the atrial septum is slight, depending upon the size and location of the defect. Complicated atrial septal defects vary in clinical significance according to the nature of the associated defects.     

Spontaneous resolution of an isolated ventricular septal defect in a dog

A 5-month-old Maltese was examined because of a holosystolic heart murmur. Results of echocardiography were suggestive of a small isolated interventricular septal defect. Color flow and pulsed-wave spectral Doppler echocardiography confirmed that there was left-to-right blood flow through the defect during systole and diastole. Because of the small size of the defect, the large systolic pressure differential between the ventricles (72.6 mm Hg), and the lack of clinical signs, the small amount of left-to-right shunting was considered clinically unimportant, and no medication or treatment was recommended. Seven months later, the dog was re-examined, and trans-septal blood flow was no longer seen. Isolated interventricular septal defects are a common congenital heart disorder in some breeds of dogs. Such defects may be subclinical in some dogs. In others, they cause a wide spectrum of clinical problems. Findings in this dog suggest that interventricular septal defects may close spontaneously in some dogs.