Case Studies In Small Animal

Cardiovascular Medicine

Case 20

Two-dimensional echocardiograms

This right parasternal long-axis view of the four chambers (RA, RV, LA, and LV) is taken at the end of ventricular diastole, during atrial systole. The mitral valve leaflets are maximally open.

This is a close-up view of the same echocardiogram seen above.

A left apical view of the heart that is again taken at the end of ventricular diastole with the mitral valve leaflets at their maximum excursion.

A right parasternal view of the aorta (Ao) and left atrium. The body of the left atrium (LA) is moderately to severely enlarged. The left auricle (LAu) is also enlarged. Note that the transducer is on the right chest wall so the right ventricle (RV) is closest to it. The left auricle projects cranially from the body of the left atrium.

This left apical view shows an abnormal linear structure traversing the left ventricle (LV) anatomically below the mitral valve.

©Mark D. Kittleson, D.V.M., Ph.D. All rights reserved.