Acquired valve disease Flashcards
Aetiology of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Cause unknown
Inherited component in some breeds (CKCS, Dachshund)
Presumed to be familial in other breeds
Pathology of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Nodular thickening of the mitral valve leaflets
Abnormalities in collagen content and alignment and expansion of the spongiosa due to accumulation of proteoglycans
Prolapse of the mitral valve into the left atrium is commonly seen
Progressive deformation of the valve apparatus leads to ineffective coaptation and consequent regurgitation
Grossly seen as deformed, thickened valve leaflets and elongation of the chordae tendinae
Jet lesions (impact lesions) may be seen on the mitral endocardium secondary to severe mitral regurgitation
Pathophhysiology of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Chronic left-sided volume overload
Mitral regurg results in an increase in preload and the compensatory response - eccentric hypertrophy of the left ventricle
progressive increase in left ventricular and atrial size
Severe disease can lead to pulmonary oedema
Concentric hypertrophy
Reduced ventricular volume
Thickened walls
Eccentric hypertrophy
Increased ventricular volume
Also with thickened walls
Sequelae of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Left sided congestive heart failure (pulmonary oedema)
Arrhythmias - especially atrial fibrillation (may result in right sided CHF)
Left atrial tears/acquired septal defects
Pulmonary hypertension
Stages of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
A: predisposed/at risk
B: pre-clinical disease
B1: MR but no/minimal secondary remodelling
B2: LA and LV dilation
C: CHF
D: refractory CHF
Stage A myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Dogs considered at increased risk but without apparent structural abnormalities
E.g. CKCS
Stage B myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Dogs with structural heart disease but no evidence of CHF i.e. pre-clinical MMVD
Stage B1 myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Asymptomatic MMVD but with no radiographic or echocardiographic evidence of cardiac remodelling
Stage B2 myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Asymptomatic MMVD which is haemodynamically severe enough, and present for long enough to induce cardiac remodelling (left atrial and ventricular dilation) identified on radiographs +/- echocardiography
Murmur at least grade 3
Stage C myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
DOgs with MMVD and CHF (either controlled or current decompensated)
Stage D myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Dogs with end-stage MMVD with CHF refractory to standard treatment
Signalment of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Middle aged to older dogs
Small breed dogs typically under 20kg
Can develop in any breed and may progress quicker in large breed dogs
History of pre-clinical (stage B) myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Most will be asymptomatic
If advanced (B2) left atrial dilation may cause compression of the caudal mainstem bronchi and consequent chronic cough
History of clinical disease (stage C; CHF) myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Chronic murmur
Elevated resp rate or effort
Cough
Reduced exercise capacity
Weight loss, muscle loss, reduced appetite, lethargy
Abdominal distension if right sided CHF
Collapse/syncope (less common)
Physical examination of pre-clinical (stage B) myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Left apical systolic murmur
Concurrent right apical murmurs
Physical examination of clinical (stage C) myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Left apical systolic murmur and concurrent right apical murmur
Tachypnoea +/- dyspnoea
Pulmonary crackles
Tachycardia, tachyarrhythmias
Signs of right-sided CHF less common
Signs of right sided heart failure
Jugular distension
Positive hepatojugular reflux
Abdominal distension with fluid thrill
Echocardiography of stage B1 myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Mitral valve leaflets are abnormal
Evidence of mitral regurgitation
Left atrium and left ventricle are normal (or near normal) in size
Echocardiography of stage B2 myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
Abnormal mitral valve leaflets with mitral regurg and secondary dilation of the left atrium AND left ventricle
Echocardiography of stage C myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD)
As B2 but more severe mitral regurg and left sided dilation
Evidence of elevated pressures within the left atrium
B lines may be seen
Look for evidence of atrial tears and right sided CHF (less common)
Assessment of left atrial size on echo
Right parasternal short axis view of the heart base
Left atrial diameter is normalised to the aorta (LA:Ao)
Cut off is 1.6 or more