Double-Outlet Right Ventricle in a Chianina Calf

Simple Summary This case report describes a rare complex congenital cardiac malformation in a Chianina calf referred to the Veterinary Teaching Hospital of Perugia University (Italy). We describe the clinical, ultrasonographic and pathological findings of a double-outlet right ventricle associated with interventricular and interatrial septal defects. These congenital cardiac anomalies have never been reported in the Chianina breed. Congenital heart defects have been occasionally reported in cattle and ventricular septal defect represents the most frequently encountered anomaly. The double-outlet right ventricle is a rare congenital ventriculoarterial malformation reported only in certain cattle breeds. We describe this rare and complex congenital cardiac malformation observed in a 10-day-old male Chianina calf. Clinical examination showed tachycardia, tachypnea, jugular pulses, cyanotic mucous membranes and a right apical systolic murmur. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed severe dilation of the right-sided cardiac chambers with a markedly hypoplastic left ventricle. Both aorta and pulmonary artery leaving the right ventricle in parallel alignment with the tricuspid valve were suggestive of a dual-outlet right ventricle. Interventricular and interatrial septal defects were also visualized. Post-mortem examination confirmed the echocardiographic findings. To the authors' knowledge, a similar complex congenital cardiac malformation has not been reported in calves of the Chianina breed to date.

Automated summary

This case report describes a rare congenital heart malformation in a Chianina calf, including a double-outlet right ventricle and interventricular and interatrial septal defects. Clinical signs included tachypnea, tachycardia, cyanotic mucous membranes, and a right apical systolic murmur.