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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

Echocardiographic detection of ventricular septal defects in large animals.

Journal:
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Year:
1985
Authors:
Pipers, F S et al.
Species:
horse

Plain-English summary

Researchers used special ultrasound techniques to find holes in the hearts of a young horse (a 2-year-old filly) and two calves. These tests were done while the animals were awake and either standing or lying down. The ultrasound was focused on specific areas of the chest, and they were able to see the holes in the heart's wall that separates the two lower chambers. This study shows that these heart defects can be detected without needing to sedate the animals.

Abstract

Ventricular septal defects in a foal, a 2-year-old filly, and 2 calves were demonstrated with M-mode and two-dimensional real-time echocardiography. The studies were performed with the animals unsedated, either standing or in lateral recumbency. Cardiac windows were located between the 4th and 7th intercostal spaces, approximately at the level of the olecranon. In each case, the septal defect was visualized high in the membranous portion of the interventricular septum. Defects were visualized by use of sector scanning or linear-array ultrasonic equipment, with transducer frequencies of 2.25 to 3.5 MHz.

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Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4055499/