Cor Triatriatum Dexter, Triatrial Heart
Cor triatriatum dexter is a rare, congenital heart defect in which the embryonic common pulmonary vein (the vein that returns the oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart) was not incorporated into the left atrium (a chamber of the heart, to which the blood returns from the circulation). This leaves behind a perforated fibromuscular membrane dividing the left atrium into 2 chambers and effectively creating a triatrial heart. The opening between the two left atrium sections determines the degree of obstruction to pulmonary venous return, pulmonary venous and pulmonary arterial high pressure.
Right-side triatrial heart is well documented in dogs. Typical clinical signs include ascites (an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity) in a young dog with no heart murmur, growth retardation and exercise intolerance. Some dogs may have no symptoms.
Treatment with balloon dilatation (stretching a constricted artery) or surgical correction is usually successful. Cor triatriatum dexter can be successfully treated by balloon dilatation provided that it is recognized early enough.
Clinical signs improve within days and are sustained in the long term. A breed predisposition exists in Chow Chow dogs.
Go Pets America recommends seeking the advice of your local veterinarian for the most appropriate vaccination program and for the diagnosis and treatment of your pet's health problems. For vaccination requirements please contact your state and local licensing authorities.
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