SAEVA Congress 2018 Proceedings | 12-15 February 2018 | ATKV Goudini Spa
Thickened left aortic leaflet
Prolapse of the aortic valve leaflets is commonly imaged, usually involving the
noncoronary cusp. Vegetative endocarditis lesions, although uncommon, frequently
involve the aortic valve. Fenestrations of the aortic valve cusps, small tears in the free
edge of the aortic cusps or flail aortic leaflets are less frequently imaged. Diastolic
fluttering of the aortic valve cusp is caused by redundant, fenestrated, torn or ruptured
aortic valve cusps or may be associated with a vegetative endocarditis lesion. High
frequency vibrations on the septal leaflet of the mitral valve during diastole are caused
by turbulence in the left ventricular outflow tract associated with the AR jet. These
vibrations are usually best imaged with M-mode echocardiography. High frequency
vibrations are less frequently imaged on the interventricular septum, caused by the
regurgitant jet impinging on the interventricular septum.
High frequency vibrations on mitral septal leaflet
Left ventricular enlargement (>20 cm), an increased shortening fraction (up to 60%)
and thinning of the left ventricular free wall and interventricular septum are present in
horses with significant AR and normal myocardial function. The interventricular septal
motion and left ventricular free wall motion are frequently hyperdynamic in these
horses.
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