Tetralogy of Fallot in a 7-year-old gelding

Fallotsche Tetralogie bei einem 7-jährigen Wallach

Gesell S, Brandes K

DOI: 10.21836/PEM20060403
Year: 2006
Volume: 22
Issue: 4
Pages: 427-430

A 7-year-old Andalusian grey gelding presented with chronic respiratory problems and a loud heart murmur. Clinically, cyanotic mucous membranes, drastically reduced arterial partial pressure of oxygen, poor performance, and a heart murmur grade 4-5/6 at the pulmonary valve and grade 3/6 at the tricuspid valve. Thickening of the left (LVW) and right ventricular walls (RVW) and the interventricular septum (IVS), as well as dilatation of the right heart and an insuffiency of the tricuspid valve were demonstrated during ultrasonic investigation. Radiographs of the lungs revealed a high density throughout the lung tissue. Due to the severity of the clinical findings, which led to a grave prognosis regarding further use as a riding horse, the gelding was euthanatized. The pathologic-anatomic examination revealed a superior ventricular septal defect (VSD), aortic transposition, highgrade exentric hypertrophy of the right ventricular myocardium, and substenosis of the pulmonary trunk, which were interpreted as tetralogy of Fallot.