Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Atrial septal defect of the persistent ostium primum type with hypoplastic right ventricle in a Welsh pony foal.
- Journal:
- Canadian journal of comparative medicine : Revue canadienne de medecine comparee
- Year:
- 1985
- Authors:
- Physick-Sheard, P W et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
This report discusses a Welsh Mountain pony foal that was found to have a specific heart defect called an atrial septal defect (a hole in the wall between the heart's upper chambers) along with an underdeveloped right ventricle and a problem with the tricuspid valve. While small holes in the heart are sometimes seen in newborn foals and usually aren't serious, this case is more complicated due to the additional heart issues. The authors suggest that these types of heart defects might be more common than previously thought, but they can sometimes be confused with less serious conditions. Overall, the significance of these defects can vary widely based on their size and the presence of other heart problems.
Abstract
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.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4075243/