SAEVA Congress 2018 Proceedings | 12-15 February 2018 | ATKV Goudini Spa
Ruptured mitral chorda tendineae
Most flail valve leaflets or RCT are best visualized from the left parasternal window in
the two-chamber view of the mitral valve, particularly when the accessory leaflets are
involved.
The mitral valve is one of the common sites of bacterial endocarditis but endocarditis
occurs infrequently in horses. The vegetative masses are usually echogenic to
hyperechoic with irregular margins and move with the affected valve leaflet.
Vegetative endocarditis
The vegetative masses usually become rounder and smoother if the horse is
responding to treatment. Often the MR becomes more severe because of the scarring
of the leaflets secondary to the infection, ultimately leading to the demise of the horse.
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