Right ventricular aneurysm and atrial septal defect in a cat

This case report shows the development of a right ventricular aneurysm in a cat with a large atrial septal defect. Despite this complex cardiac pathology, the cat lived normally for more than 4 years and developed fatal congestive heart failure.     

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.     

Normal and paradoxical ventricular septal motion in the dog

Normal and paradoxical ventricular septal motions were studied in dogs, using M-mode and 2-dimensional echocardiography. Normal ventricular septal motion was evaluated, using 35 clinically healthy dogs (group I), and was compared with characteristics of septal motion measured in 12 dogs with right ventricular overload (group II) and 14 dogs with left-sided heart disease (group III). Normal ventricular septal motion consisted of a series of active and passive anterior (right cranial) and posterior (left caudal) movements that were subjectively evaluated and quantitated during segments of the cardiac cycle. Maximum excursion of the ventricular septum occurred during systole, was directed toward the left ventricle, and was related to body size. Determination of a normalized radius of septal curvature from analysis of 2-dimensional echocardiogram indicated that the septal arc formed part of a generally circular left ventricle in group I dogs. In contrast to these findings, group II dogs with right ventricular pressure and volume overloads exhibited reduced systolic septal excursion, diminished or flat septal motion, and paradoxical systolic septal motion. Normalized radius of septal curvature was significantly greater in group II dogs than in group I or group III dogs. Septal motion and radius of septal curvature in dogs comprising group III were not significantly different from normal during most phases of the cardiac cycle. Results of this study support the concept that septal motion is a reflection of overall left ventricular shape and that abnormalities in ventricular septal motion, namely flat or paradoxical septal motion, should cause the clinician to suspect right ventricular volume or pressure overload.     

Echocardiographic detection of ventricular septal defects in large animals

Ventricular septal defects in a foal, a 2-year-old filly, and 2 calves were demonstrated with M-mode and two-dimensional real-time echocardiography. The studies were performed with the animals unsedated, either standing or in lateral recumbency. Cardiac windows were located between the 4th and 7th intercostal spaces, approximately at the level of the olecranon. In each case, the septal defect was visualized high in the membranous portion of the interventricular septum. Defects were visualized by use of sector scanning or linear-array ultrasonic equipment, with transducer frequencies of 2.25 to 3.5 MHz.     

Recognition and diagnosis of lysosomal storage diseases in the cat and dog

Lysosomal storage diseases are rare, inherited disorders caused by the deficiency of 1 or more enzymes within the lysosomes of cells or by the deficiency of an activating protein or cofactor necessary for enzyme activity. The enzyme deficiency leads to a catabolic blockade and subsequent accumulation of storage material, and this in turn leads, albeit indirectly, to a wide array of clinical signs. Many features of storage diseases make them difficult to recognize and diagnose. In this review, we summarize the clinical features of these diseases and outline the steps required to confirm a diagnosis.     

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.     

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.     

Echocardiography for the diagnosis of congenital heart defects in the dog

Echocardiography utilizing M-mode and real-time techniques is a safe, noninvasive diagnostic technique for use in veterinary cardiology. It provides a means to assess structural sizes and relationships and can be used to provide quantitative data for diagnosis of congenital heart disease. Although its availability is largely limited to veterinary colleges and specialty hospitals, the practicing veterinarian should know of its advantages and disadvantages. He or she is also encouraged to consider the use of ultrasound in the diagnosis and management of heart disease in all species of veterinary patients.     

Ultrasonographic and cytopathological diagnosis of exocrine pancreatic carcinoma in the dog and cat

This study describes the ultrasonographic and cytopathological characteristics of malignant neoplasms of the exocrine pancreas and their value in making an antemortem diagnosis. The medical records of eight dogs and five cats were reviewed. The clinical presentations were variable and at times mimicked pancreatitis. Overall, cytopathology of ultrasound or fluoroscopic-guided biopsies or fine-needle aspirates, or impressions from surgical biopsies were helpful in establishing the diagnosis in 10 of 12 animals where it was performed. Histopathology of ultrasound or fluoroscopic-guided biopsies provided a diagnosis in five of six cases where it was performed.     

Skin diseases of the dog and cat: clinical and histopathologic diagnosis

Skin diseases of the dog and cat: clinical and histopathologic diagnosis
Thelma Lee Gross, Peter Ihrke, Emily Walder and Verena Affolter
Published by Blackwell Publishing, 2005, 2^nd edition, 944 pages, hardback, £155.00, ISBN-10: 0632064528, ISBN-13: 9780632064526     

Percutaneous transcatheter coil embolization of a ventricular septal defect in a dog

A 4-month-old male French Bulldog weighing 5.0 kg (11 lb) was referred for a heart murmur. A grade 3/6 systolic murmur was detected at the left heart base and a grade 4/6 systolic murmur was detected at the right heart base. By use of color-flow Doppler ultrasonography and cardiac catheterization, a diagnosis of supracristal ventricular septal defect (VSD) with accompanying aortic regurgitation was made. Percutaneous transcatheter coil embolization was used to close the VSD. Because residual shunt was detected via echocardiography after coil implantation, the residual shunt was followed periodically via echocardiography to detect spontaneous closure of the VSD. Volume overload in the left ventricle was detected in the dog 131 days after admission. Additional coils were placed 137 days after admission. Hemolysis resulting in hemoglobinuria was detected, but this complication was mild. In the dog of this report, results of coil occlusion for correction of VSD were promising. Thus, coil occlusion should be considered as an alternative treatment for VSD in dogs.     

Surgical correction of ventricular septal defect with aortic regurgitation in a dog

An 8-month-old entire Miniature Dachshund, weighing 4.2 kg, was presented for examination following delvelopment of a cough. Ventricular septal defect had been diagnosed tentatively in its infancy on the basis of a cardiac murmur detected by auscultation and echocardiography. Echocardiography using a B mode right parasternal long-axis view showed a defect at the atrioventricular junction and a thickened cusp of the aortic valve prolapsing into the defect. Colour-flow Doppler showed shunt blood flow across the defect at the level of the atrioventricular junction, from left to right. The sinus of Valsalva was dilated, with turbulent blood flow. Aortic regurgitation was also observed. Cardiac catheterisation studies confirmed the diagnosis of a supracristal ventricular septal defect with aortic regurgitation. Despite medication with digoxin, enalapril and aminophylin, started from the first admission, left ventricular internal dimensions gradually increased, and fractional shortening of the left ventricle gradually decreased. Surgery, with the aid of extracorporeal circulation, to close the ventricular septal defect, was performed 1 year after the initial examination. The aortic valve was left untreated. Postoperatively, the systolic murmur disappeared. Shunt flow from the left to the right ventricle was no longer observed on echocardiography, however there was still a small amount of aortic regurgitation during diastole visualised with colour-flow Doppler echocardiography. The prolapse of the cusp of the aortic valve on B-mode echocardiography was no longer observed and thickening of the cusp had not progressed. Left ventricular function measurement using M mode echocardiography showed a reduced left ventricular volume overload with reduced left ventricular internal dimensions and increased fractional shortening. The cough was relieved and no follow-up medication was scheduled. Early surgical closure of the ventricular septal defect improved the patient's condition and controlled prolapse and thickening of the aortic valve.     

Unilateral congenital aneurysm of the jugular, linguofacial, and maxillary veins in a dog

A 5-month-old female Gordon Setter was examined because of a soft, fluctuant, subcutaneous swelling in the right submandibular region. Clinical problems were not associated with the mass. Cytologic examination and blood gas analysis of an aspirate from the mass confirmed its contents to be venous blood. Venous angiography delineated a fusiform dilatation of the right jugular, maxillary, and linguofacial veins, with no evidence of obstruction or anomalous venous return to the heart. The dilated segments were surgically excised, and the tissue was submitted for histologic examination. The clinical, radiographic, and histologic features of this lesion supported the diagnosis of congenital venous aneurysm.     

Advanced imaging findings in a cat with left ventricular apical aneurysm

An eight-year-old, male neutered, domestic shorthair cat presented with severe anemia. Two-dimensional echocardiography identified severe left ventricular apical dilation with wall thinning and akinesia. The basal portion of the left ventricle showed equivocal hypertrophy and subjective hyperkinesis. Speckle tracking echocardiography showed marked abnormalities in all deformation planes (longitudinal, circumferential, radial strain) and twist. Three-dimensional Bull's eye plot reconstruction was also performed. Post-mortem evaluation showed a pale and paper-thin left ventricular apex and histopathology confirmed full-thickness cardiomyocytes loss with fibrous replacement. Left ventricular acquired apical aneurysms are the result of chronic damage of the myocardium and are associated with many disease conditions in people, including coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy. The exact pathophysiological mechanism could not be determined with certainty in the cat of the present report, but advanced echocardiographic evaluation added some fine details into the characterization of this infrequently reported abnormality.