Endocardial Disease Flashcards
What is endocardial disease?
Inflammation of the inner lining of the heart’s chambers and valves
Which species is valvular disease more common in?
DOGS
Names for valve disease
- Chronic (mitral) Valvular Disease (CVD)
- Chronic Degenerative Valve Disease (CDVD)
- Endocardiosis
- Myxomatous mitral valve disease
Myxomatous meaning
- Inflammation without being inflammatory
- Benign tumorous change in valve structure
- Makes valve more pliable/gelatinous
Which valves are most affected?
Mitral (60%)
Tricuspid (30%)
How does valve disease cause a problem?
Valve thickens and doesn’t shut properly
Blood regurgitates from ventricles into atrium
(preload increases, diameter decreases so pressure increases)
Stroke volume INCREASES, cardiac output falls
Signalment of valvular disease
- Middle aged to older
- Smaller breeds overrepresented
○ Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
○ Poodles
○ Chihuahua
○ Maltese
○ Shih Tzu
○ Be aware of cross breeds! (lost of poodle crosses)
Common presentation
- If in congestive failure - Compensatory failure
○ Exercise intolerance
○ Increased respiratory rate and effort
○ Coughing
○ Decreased appetite - May present for a booster and you find a heart murmur with no other clinical signs
○ If mitral valve (most common) – PMI left apex (ICS4)
○ If tricuspid – PMI right apex
Murmur grading
Grade I – quiet only heard after few minutes in a quiet room
Grade II – quiet but easily audible
Grade III – same intensity as the heart sounds
Grade IV – a murmur louder than heart sounds but no precordial thrill
Grade V – very loud murmur and precordial thrill present
Grade VI – murmur audible when stethoscope removed from chest wall
Echocardiography findings of mitral valve disease
Enlarged left atrium
Thickened mitral valve leaflet
Radiography findings of Mitral valve disease
Enlarged left atrium
Elevated trachea
Clear lung fields
No pleural effusion/pulmonary oedema
Treatment of mitral valve disease
Pimobendan
