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Quadricuspid aortic valve in a 16-year-old Quarter horse
D Caivano1, M Cicogna1, S Orvieto2
1Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Perugia, Via San Costanzo 4, Perugia, 06126, Italy.
Insights
A rare congenital quadricuspid aortic valve defect in a horse caused mild to moderate aortic valve insufficiency. This condition was diagnosed using transthoracic echocardiography, highlighting its utility in equine cardiology.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Equine Echocardiography
- Congenital Heart Defects
Background:
- A 16-year-old Quarter horse gelding presented with a newly detected cardiac murmur.
- Physical examination revealed a diastolic murmur and second-degree atrio-ventricular blocks on electrocardiography.
Observation:
- Echocardiography revealed an uncommon quadricuspid aortic valve with four cusps.
- Color flow Doppler demonstrated a diastolic regurgitant jet, indicating aortic valve insufficiency.
Findings:
- The horse was diagnosed with mild to moderate aortic valve insufficiency.
- The insufficiency was secondary to the congenital quadricuspid aortic valve.
Implications:
- This case highlights quadricuspid aortic valve as a rare cause of aortic insufficiency in horses.
- Transthoracic echocardiography is effective for diagnosing such congenital cardiac defects in equine patients.
Abstract:
A 16-year-old horse, 400 kg, male, Quarter horse gelding was examined for a cardiac murmur that had not been previously heard. Physical examination revealed a regularly irregular pulse and a grade III/VI, decrescendo, diastolic murmur with a point of maximum intensity over the left heart base. Base-apex standard electrocardiographic examination at rest showed sinus rhythm with second-degree atrio-ventricular blocks. Echocardiography identified the presence of four aortic valve cusps, two equal larger and two unequal smaller cusps. Color flow Doppler examination showed a diastolic regurgitant jet emerging from the central region of closed aortic valve. Based on clinical and echocardiographic findings a diagnosis of mild to moderate aortic valve insufficiency secondary to quadricuspid aortic valve was made. This report describes a rare congenital heart defect that can be detected by transthoracic echocardiography in the horse.
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