Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
CT scan finds unusual blood vessel in dog with cor triatriatum dexter
By Phillips, V et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology·2021·Willows Veterinary Centre and Referral Service, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Computed tomography diagnosis of a caval-azygos communication in a dog with cor triatriatum dexter.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
An 18-month-old Springer Spaniel was brought in because he had fluid in his abdomen (ascites), was having trouble exercising, and was suspected to have a heart defect called cor triatriatum dexter, which is when the right atrium is divided into two chambers. An ultrasound confirmed this heart issue, but additional tests showed unexpected results. A special imaging test revealed a problem with blood flow that was affecting his heart. The vet performed a procedure to open up the membrane in the heart, which helped improve blood flow and resolved his symptoms.
People also search for: dog ascites causes · Springer Spaniel heart defect treatment · cor triatriatum dexter in dogs
Abstract
An 18-month-old Springer Spaniel was presented for investigation of ascites, exercise intolerance and suspected cor triatriatum dexter. Division of the right atrium into two separate chambers by an anomalous perforated membrane consistent with cor triatriatum dexter was confirmed during echocardiography. However, a routine agitated saline contrast (bubble) study yielded results that could not be explained by the congenital heart defect alone. Computed tomography angiography was performed and revealed a dilated ventral internal vertebral venous plexus and a short, dilated vessel in the midlumbar region redirecting blood flow away from the caudal vena cava and into the azygos vein. Balloon dilatation of the orifice within the cor triatriatum dexter membrane successfully reduced pressure within the caudal chamber of the right atrium and enhanced return via the caudal vena cava with subsequent resolution of clinical signs. This case report highlights the use of cross-sectional imaging in dogs with cor triatriatum dexter and unexpected contrast study results, as a means by which concurrent vascular anomalies may be identified.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34801805/