2016 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Anomalous development of the coronary arteries was not observed in any of the French Bulldogs evaluated in this study, whereas the R2A coronary anomaly was identified in 6/7 English Bulldogs with a RVOT obstruction. Marked thickening of the pulmonic valve leaflets with markedly reduced leaflet mobility was observed in all of the French Bulldogs and annular hypoplasia was not present or was very modest in both breeds. In the dogs with R2A anomalies, the curvature and degree of encroachment from the left coronary artery on the RVOT was markedly variable. A combination of valvular and supravalvular obstruction was identified in the only English Bulldog with normal coronary anatomy. In people, obesity is an independent risk factor for the development of obesity related cardiac dysfunction (ORCD) characterized by systolic dysfunction, diastolic dysfunction, and/or vascular endothelial dysfunction. Components of metabolic syndrome including dyslipidemias, elevated inflammatory markers, and insulin resistance are believed to play an important role in the pathophysiology of ORCD. Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in dogs and it is estimated that approximately 34% of dogs are overweight and 5% are obese in the United States. Recent studies performed in dogs suggest that metabolic syndrome also exists in obese dogs, warranting further investigation into the risk for ORCD.