Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Heart murmur in 6-month-old German shepherd with artery dilation
By Hernandez, Juan L et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology·2008·Department of Clinical Sciences, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Left coronary aneurysmal dilation and subaortic stenosis in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 6-month-old German shepherd was brought in because of a heart murmur that the vet detected during a check-up. The dog had a fast heart rate and a significant murmur that could be heard clearly. Tests revealed a condition called subaortic stenosis (a narrowing below the aortic valve) and an unusual dilation of the left coronary artery. Unfortunately, despite the findings, the dog was euthanized due to the severity of the heart issues, which were not treatable. This case highlights a rare heart condition in dogs that has not been documented before.
People also search for: dog heart murmur German shepherd · subaortic stenosis in dogs · coronary artery problems in dogs
Abstract
A 6-month-old German shepherd dog was referred for evaluation of a cardiac murmur. Upon physical examination, the auscultated heart rate was 120 beats/min, and a grade IV/VI systolic heart murmur with a point of maximal intensity over the left heart base radiating up the neck was heard. The standard echocardiographic examination showed subaortic stenosis and an anechoic tubular structure extending from the sinus of Valsalva to the left ventricular posterior wall. Aneurysmal left coronary artery (CA) was confirmed by angiography. The dog was euthanized and post-mortem examination showed severe dilatation of the proximal left CA and confirmed the subaortic stenosis. Histopathology did not demonstrate abnormalities in the walls of the CA, aorta or pulmonary artery. The exact cause of the CA aneurysmal dilation remains unknown. Subaortic stenosis, elevated coronary vascular resistance or a congenital anomaly may have contributed to the dilation. To our knowledge, coronary aneurysmal dilation has never been described in dogs. Standard echocardiography provides reliable information on coronary anatomy.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18485856/