Case of the week 03.05.18
Publication Date: 2018-03-05
History
3 month old male Chihuahua. 5/6 heart murmur.
3 images
Findings
Orthogonal radiographs of the thorax are available for interpretation.
There is severe enlargement of the cardiac silhouette, which is both wider (5.5 intercostal spaces on the lateral view, and approximately 85% of the width of the thorax on the VD view), and taller than normal.
There is loss of the cranial waist and dorsal deviation of the trachea on the lateral views, with a small bulge at the level of the left atrium Rounding of the right heart, deviation of the apex towards the left, a large bulge at the level of the aortic arch, main pulmonary artery, and a lesser one at the left auricle are visible on the VD view.
The right and left caudal lobar pulmonary arteries are enlarged and somewhat blunted; the right caudal lung appears hyperlucent on the VD view. The pulmonary veins are not distended.
Diagnosis
Cardiovascular changes are most consistent with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)
There is no evidence of heart failure.
Based on appearance of the pulmonary arteries, pulmonary hypertension should be ruled out.
The hyperlucent right caudal lung may represent a focal PTE or be a normal variant.
Files