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Complete interruption of the aortic arch in a dog
G Jacobs1, D Patterson, D Knight
1Department of Small Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens 30602.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
|December 15, 1987
Summary
Complete interruption of the aortic arch, a rare congenital heart defect, was diagnosed in a dog. This condition, similar to human cases, highlights the need for accurate diagnosis for potential surgical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Comparative Pathology
Background:
- Congenital cardiac anomalies can present with complex clinical signs in dogs.
- Interruption of the aortic arch (IAA) is a rare but significant defect.
- Accurate diagnosis is crucial for prognosis and potential treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of complete interruption of the aortic arch in a dog.
- To describe the clinical, diagnostic, and pathological findings.
- To compare the findings with human cases of IAA.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination including auscultation and diagnostic imaging (angiocardiography).
- Gross pathological examination of the heart post-euthanasia.
- Histopathological analysis (implied by gross dissection documentation).
Main Results:
- A dog presented with exercise intolerance, cardiac murmur, polycythemia, and cardiomegaly.
- Angiocardiography confirmed complete interruption of the aortic arch, accompanied by patent ductus arteriosus, VSD, and subaortic stenosis.
- Pathological findings were consistent with IAA, located between the left carotid and left subclavian arteries, mirroring human anatomy.
Conclusions:
- Complete interruption of the aortic arch in dogs shares similarities with human pathology, suggesting common developmental mechanisms.
- The defect can be misdiagnosed due to overlapping clinical signs with other cardiac anomalies.
- Early and accurate anatomical diagnosis is vital for considering surgical management options.