Case Studies In Small Animal

Cardiovascular Medicine

Case 8

Two-dimensional echocardiograms

This right parasternal long-axis view shows the four chambers of the heart in diastole. The diastolic diameter of the left ventricle (LV) is increased to 21 mm (normal is up to 17 mm). The right ventricular (RV) free wall is severely thickened (immediately above the RV label). The left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA) are enlarged.

This right parasternal cross-sectional view shows the right ventricular (RV) chamber to be enlarged and the right ventricular free wall to be thickened. There is an array of abnormal chordal structures emanating from the papillary muscles in the left ventricular (LV) chamber.

The left atrium (LA) is moderately enlarged when compared to the size of the aorta (Ao) in this right parasternal cross-sectional view of the base of the heart. The pulmonic valve can be seen between the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) and the main pulmonary artery (PA) and is closed in this diastolic frame.

This right parasternal long-axis view of the left ventricle (LV) and aorta shows a region of discontinuity between the upper portion of the interventricular septum and the base of the aorta.

This close-up view of the base of the interventricular septum again shows a defect (arrow) between the base of the septum and the root of the aorta.

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