Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Echocardiographic detection of pulmonic valve rupture in a horse with right-sided heart failure.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 1991
- Authors:
- Reimer, J M et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Studies · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
A 20-year-old Thoroughbred gelding was found to have a serious problem with his heart, specifically a rupture in the pulmonic valve, which was causing severe right-sided heart failure. This was discovered using special ultrasound imaging of the heart. Despite attempts to treat him, his health got worse, and he was ultimately put to sleep to prevent further suffering. An examination after he passed away revealed tears in the pulmonary artery and the valve itself. This case highlights the importance of thorough heart evaluations in horses with unexplained right-sided heart failure.
Abstract
Pulmonic valve rupture was determined to be the cause of severe right-sided heart failure in a 20-year-old Thoroughbred gelding. A flail in the intermediate pulmonic valve cusp was detected by 2-dimensional echocardiography. Significant pulmonic and tricuspid valvular regurgitation were confirmed by Doppler echocardiography. Despite treatment, the horse's condition deteriorated, and euthanasia was performed. At necropsy, a tear in the pulmonary artery extending into the right valve cusp and a tear at the base of the intermediate valve cusp were identified at the junction of the right and intermediate pulmonic valve cusps. Careful echocardiographic evaluation of the pulmonic valve is warranted for horses with right-sided heart failure, for which more common causes cannot be found.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2026545/