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Ebstein's anomaly: a report of 3 cases in the dog
Insights
Canine Ebstein's anomaly, a heart defect, was diagnosed in three dogs. Surgical interventions for this rare condition resulted in patient mortality, highlighting the challenges in treating this cardiac malformation.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Congenital Heart Defects
- Canine Cardiovascular Disease
Background:
- Ebstein's anomaly is a rare congenital heart malformation typically affecting humans.
- The canine counterpart of this condition is poorly understood and infrequently reported.
- This study investigates a series of young dogs presenting with clinical signs suggestive of this cardiac defect.
Abstract:
Three young unrelated dogs were diagnosed as having the canine counterpart of Ebstein's anomaly, an eponymic term for a cardiac malformation in man. All of the dogs had systolic murmurs in the tricuspid area, and all had radiographic evidence of cardiac enlargement, particularly of the right atrium. Electrocardiography indicated atrial disease or right atrial enlargement and right ventricular conduction defects. The defect was confirmed by means of cardiac catheterization in all 3 dogs. Open heart surgery was performed on 2 of the dogs--plastic reconstruction of the tricuspid annulus and placement of a prosthetic valve in 1 and closure of an atrial septal defect in the other; both of these dogs died (1 day and 1 month after surgery).