Valvular Disease

Question 1

What are the developmental abnormalities associated with valvular disease?

Answer 1

• Mitral and tricuspid valve dysplasia - regurgitation of blood into atria
• Aortic stenosis - decreased blood flow and blood spurting which damages aorta wall (chronic mineralisation/jet lesions). Subaortic stenosis or subaortic fibrous ridge
• Pulmonary stenosis - same as above. Subvalvular, valvular, infundibular
• AV valve dysplasia - distorted valve leaflets, chordae tendinae are shortened (may rupture) - due to endocardiosis that occurs from birth

Question 2

Describe valvular endocarditis

Answer 2

• Caused by bacterial infection
• Friable yellow/grey masses/vegetations on valve leaflets (fibrin accumulations within bacterial colony)
• Can get septic embolism to lung and kidneys

Question 3

Describe valvular endocardiosis

Answer 3

• Myxomatous/mucoid degeneration of valve CT matrix
• Lesions - smooth white thickenings on valve leaflets +/- thickening of chordae tendinae
• Leads to ruptured/dilated RA
• Mainly degenerative disease of older dogs
• Valve insufficiency and regurgitation