Canine infantile left ventricular noncompaction.

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Cardiology
• Pathology

Background:

• Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) is a rare cardiomyopathy affecting humans and cats, characterized by a spongy myocardium with deep recesses.
• It involves prominent trabeculation and deep recesses, comprising over 50% of ventricular thickness.

Observation:

• A seven-week-old German Shorthaired Pointer-cross puppy presented with poor body condition, exercise intolerance, and dyspnea.
• Clinical examination revealed systolic murmurs, and echocardiography showed tricuspid valve dysplasia, mild mitral regurgitation, and severe pulmonic stenosis.
• Necropsy and histopathology confirmed left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) with distinct inner noncompacted and outer compacted myocardial layers.

Findings:

• This case represents the first documented instance of left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) in a canine patient.
• The puppy exhibited concurrent tricuspid valve dysplasia, double-orifice tricuspid valve, and severe pulmonary stenosis alongside LVNC.

Implications:

• The findings advocate for the inclusion of LVNC in the differential diagnosis of cardiomyopathies in juvenile and adult dogs.
• This expands the understanding of congenital heart defects in canines and highlights the need for further research into canine cardiomyopathies.