Rupture of chorda tendineae of the tricuspid valve in a horse: a case report

A2-year-old cachectic cross-breed gelding was admitted toVeterinary Teaching Hospital of University of Tehran followingthe onset of a marked respiratory distress, coughing and ventraledema. Clinical examinations indicated harsh respiratory andexpiratory sounds as well as jugular vein distention. Therespiratory and heart rates were 35/min and 60 bpm, respectively.Agrade III/IV pansystolic murmur with the PMI on the tricuspidvalve, which could be heard on the left side, was detected. Sinustachycardia was revealed by electrocardiography. Rupture of thechorda tendineae of the tricuspid valve, pulmonary arteryregurgitation, pulmonary artery hypertension, tricuspid valveregurgitation, pulmonary artery, and right ventricular dilationwere also found in echocardiography. These findings wereconfirmed at post mortem examinations. On the basis of thefindings, chorda tendineae rapture of the tricuspid valve andright side heart failure due to primary pulmonary hypertensionwere diagnosed.