Heart Failure, Right-Sided

Description

• Occurs when the right cardiac ventricle no longer pumps blood efficiently

• This type of failure causes congestion (backing up of blood) throughout the veins and capillaries elevating the central venous pressure and resulting in systemic edema, hepatomegaly and jugular venous distension. The areas of systemic edema formation are species specific.

Signs

-Edema (See below for species differences)

-Hepatomegaly

-Pleural Effusion

Species Differences

Horse & Ox: Ventral Abdomen & Brisket edema

Dog: Ascites (abdomenal edema)

Cat: Hydrothorax (thoracic edema)

Causes

1. Left-Sided Heart Failure

2. Cardiomyopathies

3. Pericarditis

4. Hydropericardium

5. Increased Pulmonary Resistance

6. Myocardial Inflammation & Degeneration

7. Valvular Disease

8. Tumours (heart base)