Gerbode defect associated with blunt trauma in a dog

Thoracic Trauma Causing an Acquired Gerbode Defect, Aortic Sinus Rupture, and Third-Degree Atrioventricular Block With Secondary Endocarditis in a Dog

•Gerbode defects are high-velocity, systolic LV-RA shunts. •Gerbode defects are rare across species; the most common etiology is acquired. •IE and arrhythmias can be fatal complications of Gerbode defects. •Aortic sinus rupture may be traumatic in origin in the dog.

Acquired Gerbode defect and third-degree atrioventricular block secondary to vehicular trauma in a dog

OBJECTIVE

To describe a case of traumatically acquired left ventricular to right atrial communication (Gerbode defect), atrial septal defect (ASD), and third-degree atrioventricular block (AVB) necessitating permanent pacemaker placement in a dog.

CASE SUMMARY

A 1.5-year-old neutered male Newfoundland dog was struck by a car and was referred for further evaluation and treatment of hemoabdomen. Persistent third-degree AVB, a right-sided cardiac murmur and right-sided congestive heart failure (CHF) were identified, and echocardiographic examination revealed a type-A Gerbode defect and ASD. Pimobendan, furosemide, and enalapril therapies were initiated for treatment of CHF. Persistent AVB eventually necessitated permanent pacemaker implantation. Initial attempts at minimally invasive occlusion of the Gerbode defect were unsuccessful; however the dog continues to do well clinically on chronic cardiac medications.

NEW OR UNIQUE INFORMATION PROVIDED

To our knowledge, an acquired Gerbode defect secondary to trauma with associated ASD, CHF, and third-degree AVB necessitating permanent pacemaker therapy have not yet been reported in the veterinary literature. The extended survival and follow-up available on this patient postpacemaker implantation also documents that longer term survival is possible with this defect.