Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Endocardial fibroelastosis in a quarterhorse mare.
- Journal:
- Journal of comparative pathology
- Year:
- 2013
- Authors:
- Cushing, T L
- Affiliation:
- Clemson University · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 4-year-old crossbred Quarterhorse mare was taken to the veterinary diagnostic center after having a long-term problem with eating less than usual, losing weight, and being very tired. Before she passed away, she also had mild diarrhea and started showing signs of colic, which is abdominal pain. An examination after her death showed that her heart was significantly enlarged, especially the right side, and there were signs of fluid buildup in her abdomen and lungs. Further investigation revealed that the lining of the left side of her heart was thickened due to an abnormal buildup of tissue. This condition is known as endocardial fibroelastosis, and it was the cause of her health issues.
Abstract
A 4-year-old crossbred Quarterhorse mare was submitted to the Clemson Veterinary Diagnostic Center for necropsy examination with a chronic history of inappetence, weight loss and lethargy. Prior to death the horse had developed mild diarrhoea and began showing evidence of colic. Necropsy examination revealed a markedly enlarged heart due predominantly to marked dilation of the right atrium, tortuous congested mesenteric blood vessels, marked ascites, pleural effusion and pulmonary oedema. Further examination of the heart showed the endocardium of the left side of the heart, including the mitral valve leaflets, to be diffusely thickened. Microscopically, the endocardial thickening was due to deposition of fibrous connective tissue and elastin fibres. These findings are consistent with a diagnosis of endocardial fibroelastosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23651694/