COR TRIATRIATUM DEXTER

James Montgomery, DVMOctober 19, 2009

Chester Acc #76718 2 yo M Lab retriever Heart murmur, lethargic

Cor Triatriatum Sinister and/or dexter Reported in both cats and dogs Dexter results from persistence of the

embryologic right sinus venosus valve The right atrium is partitioned by a diaphragm

Typically, the caudal vena cava and fossa ovalis are in the caudal chamber and the coronary sinus and right AV valve are in the cranial chamber

Perforate or imperforate Imperforate generally shunt to azygous or vertebral

venous circulation

Cor triatriatum dexter

Cor triatriatum dexter Extremely uncommon Age at diagnosis range in lit from 8 weeks

to 7 years Reported breeds: chow chow, cocker

spaniel, English bulldog, German shepherd dog cross, German short-haired pointer, golden retriever, greyhound, rottweiler, and mixed breed dog

Should be considered as a differential diagnosis in young dogs with abdominal distension and ascites

Clinical Findings Usually have evidence of congestion in

the caudal half of the body – ascites, but do not demonstrate jugular distension or a murmur

Prominent cutaneous abdominal veins

Hepatomegaly

Diarrhea from malabsorption

Diagnostics Thoracic radiographs: tend to be

unremarkable with the exception of caudal vena caval enlargement

ECG: generally normal

Diagnosis usually by echocardiography or selective angiography

Selective AngiogramHunter Acc # 119523

Treatment

Balloon Valvuloplasty

Surgical resection or bypass of the obstruction

Chester: Acc # 76721

References Duncan RB, et al. Cor triatriatum dexter

in an English bulldog puppy: case report and literature review. J Vet Diagn Invest 11:361-5 (1999).

Oyama MA, et al. Congenital heart disease. In Ettinger SJ, Feldman EC, eds. Textbook of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 6th ed (St. Louis, MO: Elsevier Saunders, 2005) pp. 1012-13.