Cardiac function, morphology and chromosomal aberrations in a calf with ectopia cordis cervicalis

A male calf with ectopia cordis cervicalis inferior was investigated clinically, hemodynamically, and morphologically from the 3rd day of age until slaughter at the age of 22 months. Arterial hypertension (mean AOP 140 mm Hg), concentric myocardial hypertrophy and good ventricular contractility with normal valve function were found. Normal clinical condition at rest (cardiac output 48 l/min in the 600 kg bullock), but cyanosis and dyspnea during physical exercise were observed. Variations in the large vessels, such as persistence of the right cranial caval vein and one common pulmonary vein emptying into the left atrium, were found. Abrupt caliber differences of large arterial vessels together with a right angled aortic arch were observed, presumably contributing to increased afterload. The cytogenetic analysis showed the presence of a small marker chromosome leading to a chromosome number of 61 in a fraction of metaphases (mosaicism). Moreover, chromosome breakages were observed in many cells. From the 5 cows which were inseminated, 3 became pregnant. Ectopia cordis was not observed in any offspring. We conclude that in this animal compensated cardiac insufficiency with peripheral hypertension was established.