[Aortic insufficiency: diagnosis and haemodynamics, incidence in an unselected group of Irish Wolfhounds].

Common causes of acute and chronic aortic regurgitation are discussed. The main diagnostic tool is focused on echocardiographic evaluation and determination of the severity. A group of 50 Irish Wolfhounds underwent a clinical, electrocardiographic and echocardiographic examination. In 40 dogs an abnormal finding due to heart disease could be detected, which comprised an aortic insufficiency in 23 of the dogs. Only in one case was a severe degree of aortic regurgitation found, while in nine cases a moderate and in 13 dogs a mild degree was found. The occurrence of additional findings as atrial and chamber enlargement, mitral valve insufficiency, and atrial fibrillation correlated with the severity of the aortic insufficiency.