General

Question 1

what are the most common presenting signs in infectious endocarditis ?

Answer 1

highly variable –signs consistent with the various sequelae above including dyspnea, collapse, lameness, lethargy, cough, weakness, altered mentation, seizures.

Question 2

what are the most common physical examination findings in patients with infectious endocarditis

Answer 2

Majority have pyrexia or history of waxing/waning febrile episodes.

Question 3

what is the most common murmur in infectious endocarditis

Answer 3

Development of a new murmur – especially diastolic. BUT 26% of dogs with IE are reported to lack audible murmurs .

Question 4

Causes for a continuous murmur

Answer 4

1) Left to right PDA
2) Aortic coarctation
3) Aortopulmonary window
4) MAPCA’s
5) Coronary fistula (large in size and needs to communicate in the right side otherwise it causes a diastolic murmur)
6) ruptures aortic aneurysm in the valsalva (needs to communicate in the right size otherwise it causes a diastolic murmur)

Question 5

What murmurs do ruptured aortic aneurysms in the Valsalva cause

Answer 5

They will cause a diastolic murmur is the rupture communicates into the left side of the heart (as aortic pressures in diastole are higher than LV) or a continuous murmur if they rupture int the right side

Question 6

What murmurs do coronary fistulas cause?

Answer 6

They will cause a diastolic murmur is the rupture communicates into the left side of the heart (as aortic pressures in diastole are higher than LV) or a continuous murmur if they rupture in the right side