Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia (TVD)
What is tricuspid valve dysplasia (TVD)?
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Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia is an uncommon congenital heart defect accounting for approximately 7% of all heart defects in dogs and is rare in cats.
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It is more commonly seen in Labrador Retrievers, Irish Setters, Great Danes, and German Shepherds, although any breed can be affected.
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It is a malformation of the tricuspid valve and its associated supporting structures that assist in proper valve closure. The tricuspid valve, or right atrioventricular valve, separates the right atrium from the right ventricle.
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TVD results in a lack of complete valve closure leading to a backflow of blood (regurgitation) up into the right atrium.
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If the regurgitation is severe enough, the right side (right ventricle and right atrium) of heart becomes enlarged.
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As the right side of the heart progressively increases in size, right sided congestive heart failure can occur. Fluid can accumulate within the abdominal and/or chest cavity as a consequence of right sided heart failure.
What is the prognosis?
• Pets with mild TVD live normal lives, often without medical intervention.
• Pets with severe TVD often develop congestive heart failure within the first several years of life, however, recent advances in medications can provide good quality of life for many months and even years beyond the onset of symptoms.
How is it treated?
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Therapy is usually not instituted until signs of right sided heart enlargement are present.
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Medical therapy is aimed at improving quality of life, delaying the onset of congestive heart failure, and controlling fluid accumulation once heart failure has developed.
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Occasionally, a simple in-office procedure is required to remove excess abdominal fluid. This provides immediate relief to any uncomfortable abdominal distention.
Learn More
Genetics: Labrador Retriever Tricuspid Valve Dysplasia
Participate in study - NC State Vet Hospital
How is TVD diagnosed?
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Often a heart murmur noted during a puppy’s first routine veterinary visit is the first indication of a problem, however, some animals may go unrecognized until they develop an arrhythmia (irregular heart rhythm) or clinical signs of heart failure.
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An echocardiogram (ultrasound or sonogram of the heart) performed by a veterinary cardiologist provides a definitive diagnosis and information about the severity of the defect, the degree of heart chamber enlargement, and presence of other defects.
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A preliminary diagnosis may be made by your family veterinarian based on breed, physical exam, and x-ray findings.
How can it be prevented?
Preventing tricuspid valve dysplasia is all about preventing reproduction in any affected dogs. Since very mild forms of the disease may be undetected through conventional means, screening dogs of with echocardiography prior to breeding is strongly recommended.
Work is currently being undertaken to identify the gene(s) involved in tricuspid valve dysplasia. The goal is to develop a genetic test so that dogs may be screened at an early age.
How does a heart clearances work in Labradors?
Per OFA - ALL Advanced Cardiac Exams REQUIRE an ECHO as part of the exam REGARDLESS of breed