Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Echocardiographic detection of tricuspid atresia in two foals.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1987
- Authors:
- Reef, V B et al.
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In this study, researchers used special ultrasound techniques to find a heart condition called tricuspid atresia in two young horses, known as foals. They noticed that one foal had a small right ventricle and a large left ventricle, along with other unusual heart structures. The tests showed that blood was flowing incorrectly from the right atrium to the left atrium and then to the left ventricle, which is not how it should work. These findings helped the veterinarians accurately diagnose the condition before any serious complications occurred. Overall, the echocardiographic techniques proved effective for diagnosing tricuspid atresia in foals.
Abstract
M-mode, 2-dimensional, and contrast echocardiographic studies were used to detect tricuspid atresia in 2 foals. M-mode echocardiographic findings included a small right ventricle, large left ventricle, large mitral valve excursion, large left atrium (foal 2), dropout of the cranial aspect of the aortic root, and a thick band of echoes in the tricuspid valve region. These findings were confirmed by 2-dimensional echocardiography. In addition, a large right atrium, persistent foramen ovale, ventricular septal defect, and large mitral valve apparatus were imaged. One foal also had a thick right atrial wall. Contrast echocardiography confirmed the intracardiac flow of blood from right to left atrium and then to the left ventricle, followed by simultaneous opacification of the right ventricle and aorta. The use of these echocardiographic techniques enables accurate antemortem diagnosis and prognosis of tricuspid atresia in the foal.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/3610799/