Changes

Chronic mitral regurgitation leads to volume overload of the left heart, which results in dilatation (eccentric hypertrophy) of the left ventricle and atrium. When mitral regurgitation is severe, cardiac output decreases, which results in signs of left sided cardiac failure [[LCHF]] and pulmonary venous congestion. Dilatation of the left-sided chambers predisposes affected animals to [[arrhythmias]]. In some cases, malformation of the mitral valve complex causes a degree of valvular stenosis as well as insufficiency.

Chronic mitral regurgitation leads to volume overload of the left heart, which results in dilatation (eccentric hypertrophy) of the left ventricle and atrium. When mitral regurgitation is severe, cardiac output decreases, which results in signs of left sided cardiac failure [[LCHF]] and pulmonary venous congestion. Dilatation of the left-sided chambers predisposes affected animals to [[arrhythmias]]. In some cases, malformation of the mitral valve complex causes a degree of valvular stenosis as well as insufficiency.

In advanced cases, signs of right sided congestive heart failure may follow dur to an increased pressure load on the right ventricle as a result of long standing pulmonary congestion.

In advanced cases, signs of right sided congestive heart failure may follow due to an increased pressure load on the right ventricle as a result of long standing pulmonary congestion.

==Diagnosis==

==Diagnosis==

*Sudden death due to left atrial tear and pulmonary oedema

*Sudden death due to left atrial tear and pulmonary oedema

===Clinical Signs===

===Clinical Signs===

* Left apical Systollic Murmur

* Left apical systollic murmur

* Left sided Congestive heart failure

* Left sided congestive heart failure

**Resting Tacchycardia

**Resting Tacchycardia

**Pale Mucous membranes

**Pale Mucous membranes

** Cool extremities

** Cool extremities

** Loss of sinus arrhythmia

** Loss of sinus arrhythmia

** Cardiac arrhythmias e.g. Atrial fibrilation, Atrial premature complexes

** Cardiac arrhythmias e.g. Atrial fibrillation, Atrial premature complexes

===Diagnostic imaging===

===Diagnostic imaging===

====Radiography====

====Radiography====

*Negative Chronotropes to increase the length of diastole (digoxin, atenolol)

*Negative Chronotropes to increase the length of diastole (digoxin, atenolol)

*Calcium channel blockers to improve relaxation (amlodipine)

*Calcium channel blockers to improve relaxation (amlodipine)

# '''Control cardiac arrhythmias using anti-arhythmic drugs

# '''Control cardiac arrhythmias using anti-arrhythmic drugs

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==

==Literature Search==

==Literature Search==

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Cardiovascular_System_-_Developmental_Pathology]][[Category:to_Do_Katie]]

[[Category:Cardiovascular_System_-_Developmental_Pathology]][[Category:to_Do_Katie]]