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Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease (view source)
Revision as of 19:45, 15 November 2010
, 19:45, 15 November 2010→Introduction
A congenital malformation or degeneration of the mitral valve leaflets and its supporting structures(chordae tendineae, papillary muscles, valvular leaflets, annulus) results in valvular regurgitation (insufficiency)
A congenital malformation or degeneration of the mitral valve leaflets and its supporting structures(chordae tendineae, papillary muscles, valvular leaflets, annulus) results in valvular regurgitation (insufficiency)
[[Image:AV valve dysplasia cat.jpg|right|thumb|200px|<small><center>'''Mitral dyplasia'''. Courtesy of A. Jefferies</center></small>]]
[[Image:AV valve dysplasia cat.jpg|right|thumb|200px|<small><center>'''Mitral dyplasia'''. Courtesy of A. Jefferies</center></small>]]
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 dur to an increased pressure load on the right ventricle as a result of long standing pulmonary congestion.
==Diagnosis==
==Diagnosis==