Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Shih-tzu dog with heart tunnel and lung artery narrowing
By Noh, Daji et al.Ā·Published in Open veterinary journalĀ·2023Ā·College of Veterinary Medicine, South KoreaĀ·View original on PubMed ā
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Original publication title: Echocardiographic diagnosis of aorto-left ventricular tunnel with supravalvular pulmonic stenosis in a Shih-tzu dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 2-year-old Shih Tzu was brought in because he was having mild trouble with exercise. An ultrasound of his heart showed a rare condition called aorto-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT), which is an abnormal connection between the aorta and the heart's left ventricle. The tests also revealed a narrowing in the pulmonary artery, which can affect blood flow. While the study highlights the importance of echocardiography in diagnosing this condition, the outcome for this specific dog wasn't detailed. If your pet shows signs of exercise intolerance, it's important to consult your veterinarian for a thorough examination.
People also search for: Shih Tzu exercise intolerance Ā· dog heart murmur diagnosis Ā· aorto-left ventricular tunnel in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The aorto-left ventricular tunnel (ALVT) is a congenital extracardiac channel that connects the ascending aorta to the left ventricle. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 2-year-old Shih-tzu dog presented with mild exercise intolerance. Echocardiography revealed an abnormal slit-like tunnel structure connecting the ascending aorta to the left ventricle, with diastolic blood flow from the aorta to the left ventricle. Echogenic membranous stenosis was observed in the main pulmonary artery. Based on these findings, the dog was diagnosed with ALVT and type I supravalvular pulmonic stenosis. CONCLUSION: This is the first case report of ALVT in veterinary medicine that describes diagnostic imaging findings. ALVT should be considered in dogs with an aortic regurgitation murmur and can be detected by echocardiography.
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Search related cases āOriginal publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37073248/