ISOLATED RIGHT-VENTRICULAR CARDIOMYOPATHY IN A DOG

Right-sided heart failure was diagnosed in a young dog with clinical a nd pathologic features of isolated right ventricular cardiomyopathy. T his disorder, also referred to as right ventricular dysplasia, is an i nfrequent cause of heart failure and sudden death in people. Echocardi ography of this dog revealed right ventricular and right atrial dilata tion and severe right ventricular systolic dysfunction. Left ventricul ar size and function were normal. Electrocardiography revealed ventric ular bigeminy. The configuration of the ectopic beats was similar to t hat seen with left bundle branch block. The dog died suddenly, and his tologic examination of the heart revealed fibroadipose replacement of right atrial and right ventricular myocardium.