Today’s case is a 5-month-old Labrador Retriever who presents for evaluation of a heart murmur. Take a look and post your comments!
Teaching and learning about veterinary diagnostic imaging.
Today’s case is a 5-month-old Labrador Retriever who presents for evaluation of a heart murmur. Take a look and post your comments!
The aortic arch is prominent on the lateral projection and less visible on the d/v projection. There is no apparent chamber enlargement. The pulmonary vasculature appears normal.
Severe subvalvular aortic stenosis
On echocardiogram, there was severe subaortic stenosis with increased velocity of flow across the valve and mild aortic insufficiency.
Long term prognosis for this condition is poor. There is no cure for this disorder, and 70% of dogs die suddenly by 3 years of age due to left ventricular hypertrophy and secondary ventricular tachyarrhythmias. Studies have shown that atenolol can sometimes prolong overall survival by about 2 years.
Pablo Barge says
Hello, I believe that’s a DV view instead of a VD, would that explain why is the aortic arch less vissible on this view? Thank you.
Allison Zwingenberger says
Yes it is a dorsoventral projection, thank you. It may explain why the aortic arch is less visible on that view. It is also quite midline so is under the spine in the position of the mediastinum.
LipiSK0 says
http://vet.cornell.edu/hospital/Services/Companion/Cardiology/conditions/subaortic-stenosis.cfm
Several surgical procedures and minimally invasive (balloon catheterization) procedures have been performed to reduce the obstruction of subaortic stenosis with variable success. However, recently a new technique has become available utilizing a special “cutting” balloon, which appears to have favorable results.
Allison Zwingenberger says
Interesting, thanks for the information!
Sirius245 says
Thanks for sharing ˜~I have this question. Is there a bulge around LA area in left lateral recumbency? Thanks!
Allison Zwingenberger says
Yes, I agree there is some left atrial enlargement on the left lateral projection.