Aortic rupture in a horse is a tear through the wall of the aorta. It is uncommon overall, but there are two patterns worth knowing for the exam: rupture of the aortic root in other breeds and breeding stallions, which creates an aortocardiac fistula, and rupture of the aortic arch in young Friesians, which creates a pseudoaneurysm and often a fistula into the pulmonary artery.
Key facts
Aortic rupture at a glance- Species and system: horse; cardiovascular.
- Root rupture: in most breeds the aortic root is the likely site, with a fistula into the right atrium, right ventricle or interventricular septum (Ploeg 2017). Sinus of Valsalva aneurysms or root tears are recognized in breeding stallions (Ploeg 2013); aneurysm is most common at the right aortic sinus (MSD).
- Friesians: rupture near the ligamentum arteriosum on the aortic arch with a pseudoaneurysm and pulmonary artery fistula; MSD gives an incidence of about 2% and a higher incidence than other warmbloods.
- Presentation: sudden death, colic-like distress, cough, epistaxis, heart failure.
- Murmur: an aortocardiac fistula usually gives a continuous murmur, heard over the tricuspid valve area (MSD).
- Zoonotic: no.
What's inside
13 sections in the full guide- Key facts
- How the NAVLE tests this
- Cause and pathophysiology
- Clinical signs
- Diagnosis
- Differential diagnoses
- Treatment and management
- Prevention, control and public health
- Prognosis
- Putting it together in practice
- Quick review
- Test yourself
- References
The full guide also has 4 tables, 1 figure, 3 self-test questions and 7 references, available to NAVLE members.
Read the full study guide
The full guide is part of every NAVLE plan, with diagnosis and treatment tables, figures, a quick review and self-test questions. Start a free trial to try the question bank, or log in if you are already a member.