Pulmonary Hypertension and Cardiac lnsuff iciency in Three Cows with Primary Lung Disease

Abstract

Increased pulmonary arterial pressures as a result of pulmonary disease are described in two cows with chronic pneumonia and one cow with acute pneumonia. Based on clinical signs of congestive right heart failure, increased pulmonary arterial pressure, and right ventricular hypertrophy, cor pulmonale was diagnosed in one cow. Two cows had increased pulmonary arterial pressure and signs of right heart insufficiency, but right ventricular hypertrophy was not identified. Two of the cows had ventral edema and exercise intolerance. All cows had jugular venous distention and increased right atrial and pulmonary arterial pressures. Peripheral arterial PpO, was decreased in two cows, and not measured in the third cow. Although an uncommon cause of congestive heart failure in cattle at low altitudes, pulmonary hypertension should be considered in cattle with clinical right heart failure. (Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 1992; 6:214-219)COR PULMONALE refers to right ventricular hypertrophy or right heat? failure secondary to pulmonary hypertension.lr2 Cor pulmonale occurs when pulmonary hypertension caused by increased pulmonary vascular resistance increases the cardiac workload. This increased cardiac workload is responsible for the right ventricular hypertrophy and eventual congestive tight heart failure (CHF).3Increased pulmonary vascular resistance may occur in response to pulmonary vasoconstriction or a decrease in functional pulmonary vascular capacity. Alveolar hypoxia causes contraction of the precapillary pulmonary vessels, resulting in pulmonary hypertension.',2.4 Conditions that may induce hypoxia include: exposure to high altitude, respiratory impairment secondary to chest wall abnormalities, airway obstruction, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, emphysema, or pulmonary vascular disease.' At high altitudes, hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction/hypertension is a common cause of cor pulmonale (brisket disease) in cattle.1.2,6 Exposure to decreased ambient temperature also causes pulmonary From the

N-carbamylglutamate restores nitric oxide synthesis and attenuates high altitude-induced pulmonary hypertension in Holstein heifers ascended to high altitude

“…Because mPAP measurement is actually a measure of pulmonary blood flow resistance [34], these results indicate that NCG supplementation reduces pulmonary vascular resistance by generating NO. In cattle, cor pulmonale occurs when pulmonary hypertension, caused by increased pulmonary vascular resistance, which increases the cardiac workload [37]. These results indicate that pulmonary arterial blood pressure can be decreased in Holstein heifers by NCG supplementation, which has beneficial effects in terms of reducing vascular resistance.…”

Right ventricular hypertrophy with heart failure in Holstein heifers at elevation of 1,600 meters

“…9,39,41 Forms of cor pulmonale that mimic brisket disease include inherited dilated cardiomyopathy and heart failure secondary to acute and chronic pneumonia, bronchiectasis, disseminated pulmonary abscesses, pulmonary fibrosis, emphysema, parasitic pneumonia, and some intoxications. 8,10,12,16,17,28,33,[38][39][40][41] Brisket disease presents clinically as severe right-sided heart failure. 25 Affected cattle exhibit lethargy, weight loss, persistent coughing, diarrhea, distended and/or pulsating jugular veins, ventral edema, and pneumonia over a clinical course of 1-12 weeks.…”

Cardiovascular Effects of Acute Pulmonary Obstruction in Horses with Recurrent Airway Obstruction

“…Despite being chronically affected with RAO, none of the geldings had clinically relevant cardiac abnormalities when entering the study. Although cor pulmonale is a common complication of pulmonary disease and pulmonary hypertension in cattle, 8 it appears to be uncommon in horses. Cor pulmonale has been suspected in horses with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary emphysema, and severe mitral regurgitation, 12,19,20 and a recent report documented cor pulmonale in a horse with RAO.…”

“…Although uncommon, cor pulmonale is a potential sequela to acute and chronic pulmonary hypertension in people with asthma. 4 Cor pulmonale has been reported in several domestic species, [5][6][7][8] most recently in the horse. 9 Cardiac function in horses with airway inflammation has received limited attention, but the few studies that were performed identified right ventricle hypertrophy.…”