Ventricular septal defect with aortic valve insufficiency in a New Zealand White rabbit

J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 2011 Jul-Aug;47(4):e42-9. doi: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-5498. Epub 2011 Jun 14.

Abstract

A heart murmur was detected in a 10 mo old, female New Zealand White rabbit. Auscultation revealed cardiac murmurs both at the left and right hemithorax. Phonocardiography confirmed the systolic-diastolic nature of the left-sided and the systolic character of the right-sided murmur. Electrocardiography showed normal sinus rhythm; tall R waves and large T waves in lead II; and deep S waves in leads II, III, and aVF. Thoracic radiography demonstrated generalized cardiomegaly with prominent pulmonary vasculature. Echocardiography revealed a perimembraneous ventricular septal defect with aortic insufficiency. Signs of biventricular volume overload, relative pulmonic stenosis, and pulmonary valve insufficiency were also seen as consequences of the defect. Necropsy demonstrated a ventricular septal defect just below the aortic valve, a dilated pulmonary trunk, dilated and hypertrophied ventricles, dilated atria, and rightward displacement of the aortic root. Cardiac histopathology showed ventricular cardiomyocyte degeneration (swelling and hypereosinophilia of the cytoplasm with a loss of cross striation, and nuclear hyperchromasia), cartilaginous metaplasia of the aorta, and subendocardial fibrosis of the right ventricular flow tract.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Valve Insufficiency / veterinary*
  • Echocardiography / veterinary
  • Echocardiography, Doppler / veterinary
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / diagnostic imaging
  • Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular / veterinary*
  • Rabbits*