Double-Outlet Right Ventricle in a Chianina Calf

Abstract

Congenital heart defects have been occasionally reported in cattle and ventricular septal defect represents the most frequently encountered anomaly. The double-outlet right ventricle is a rare congenital ventriculoarterial malformation reported only in certain cattle breeds. We describe this rare and complex congenital cardiac malformation observed in a 10-day-old male Chianina calf. Clinical examination showed tachycardia, tachypnea, jugular pulses, cyanotic mucous membranes and a right apical systolic murmur. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed severe dilation of the right-sided cardiac chambers with a markedly hypoplastic left ventricle. Both aorta and pulmonary artery leaving the right ventricle in parallel alignment with the tricuspid valve were suggestive of a dual-outlet right ventricle. Interventricular and interatrial septal defects were also visualized. Post-mortem examination confirmed the echocardiographic findings. To the authors’ knowledge, a similar complex congenital cardiac malformation has not been reported in calves of the Chianina breed to date.