Relato de caso: persistência de forame oval em potra de raça árabe

Abstract

Congenital heart diseases in horses are relatively uncommon but may have significant clinical impact, especially in neonatal foals. Among these, atrial septal defects (ASD) and patent foramen ovale (PFO) stand out as conditions that are often underdiagnosed due to the absence of specific clinical signs. This report describes a 40-day-old Arabian filly presenting with stunted growth, persistent diarrhea, inappetence, a grade 3/6 systolic murmur, sinus tachycardia, and a cold hind limb, suggesting peripheral hypoperfusion. Given the presence of a cardiac murmur and the suspicion of circulatory compromise, a complete cardiologic evaluation was performed, including electrocardiography and echocardiography. The electrocardiogram showed sinus rhythm with an elevated heart rate, and echocardiography identified an interatrial communication consistent with a patent foramen ovale, measuring 1.01 cm, without evidence of right ventricular overload or pulmonary hypertension. Clinical progression was unfavorable, with progressive worsening of the overall condition. Due to the poor prognosis, humane euthanasia was elected. Necropsy confirmed the presence of PFO and associated infectious lesions. This case highlights the importance of detailed cardiologic assessment in neonatal foals, integrating physical examination, auscultation, electrocardiography, and echocardiography, even when the predominant clinical signs are not of cardiovascular origin. Early diagnosis of cardiac abnormalities allows for a better understanding of their clinical relevance and supports more appropriate therapeutic and prognostic decision-making.