[Tricuspid valve dysplasia in fifteen dogs]

Clinical findings in fifteen dogs with tricuspid valve dysplasia are described. Thirteen dogs had loud systolic heart murmurs. Eleven of them hat a palpable precordial thrill over the same location. In 14 dogs, right heart enlargement was suspected on thoracic radiographs and electrocardiography. Right atrial dilation was seen echocardiographically in all dogs. Fourteen dogs had additional right ventricular dilatation, some with hypertrophy as well. Doppler echocardiography revealed tricuspid valve regurgitation. Seven dogs remained free of clinical symptoms to date. If symptoms of decompensation develop with tricuspid dysplasia, diuretics, ACE inhibitors and eventually positive inotrope drugs are indicated. Antiarrhythmic drugs may become necessary in cases of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.