Cor Triatriatum Dexter, Cor Triatrium Dexter

Cor triatriatum, also called cor triatrium, is an uncommon malformation caused by the division of the right (dexter) or left (sinister) heart atrium into two chambers by an abnormal membrane. Cor triatriatum sinister has been reported in cats and cor triatriatum dexter in dogs. In cor triatriatum dexter (right-side triatrial heart), the right atrium is partitioned into two compartments, effectively creating a triatrial heart. It is well documented in dogs. Affected breeds include Chow Chow, Cocker Spaniel, English Bulldog, German Shepherd Dog, German Shorthaired Pointer, Golden Retriever, Greyhound, Rottweiler, and mixed breed.

Cor triatriatum causes obstruction of venous flow through the atrium. In cor triatriatum dexter, the membrane occurs between the caudal vena cava and the ricuspid valve ⁶.

The most common clinical sign is an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity (ascites). Another common sign is enlargement of the liver ³. Exercise intolerance, lethargy, fainting, distended abdominal veins, coughing, breathing problems, growth retardation and sometimes diarrhea have been reported in affected animals. Some dogs may have few or no symptoms. Successful therapy requires removal of the abnormal membrane to eliminate blood flow obstruction ².

Although several methods have been used to treat cor triatriatum dexter in dogs, the surgical correction is considered a reliable approach. Cor triatriatum dexter can be successfully treated by stretching a constricted artery (balloon dilatation) provided that it is recognized early enough ⁴. Clinical signs improve within days and are sustained in the long term.

References

1. Magnus Michaelsson, Siew Yen Ho. Congenital Heart Malformations in Mammals: An Illustrated Text
2. Richard W. Nelson, C. Guillermo Couto. Small Animal INternal Medicine
3. Cor triatriatum dexter in an English Bulldog puppy: case report and literature review. Robert B. Duncan, Jr., Larry E. Freeman, Jeryl Jones, Martha Moon
4. Skrzypczak, P., Pasawska, U., Atamaniuk, W., Nicpon, J. Diagnosis and treatment of cor triatriatum dexter in dogs
5. Miscellaneous Congenital Cardiac Abnormalities
6. Douglas H. Slatter (editor). Textbook of Small Animal Surgery

Related Topics

• Aortic Stenosis
• Atrial Septal Defect
• Central Core Myopathy
• Bacterial Endocarditis
• Circulatory Disorders
• Conotruncal Heart Malformation
• Cor Triatriatum Dexter.aspx
• Dilated Cardiomyopathy
• Endocardial Fibroelastosis
• Familial Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
• Heart Failure
• Heart Muscle Diseases
• Heart Valve Diseases
• Mitral Valve Stenosis
• Polymicrogyria and Asymmetrical Ventricular Dilation
• Pulmonic Stenosis
• Subaortic stenosis
• Tachycardia
• Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia
• Endotoxin Shock
• Veterinary Drugs

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