Phenotyping Bovine Congestive Heart Failure: Bridging the Gap Between Epidemiology and Genetic Risk Discovery.

Congestive heart failure in feedlot cattle, once linked mainly to high-altitude brisket disease, is now increasingly recognized at moderate elevations as a distinct concern. It is diagnosed by excluding other causes like infections or toxins. The condition involves cardiovascular impairment, compensatory hypertrophy, and eventual decompensation. Three primary phenotyping methods-pulmonary arterial pressure measurement, heart scoring, and postmortem examination-vary in cost, accuracy, and bias. Despite advances in genetic research, key gaps remain regarding disease onset timing and environmental factors. Addressing these is crucial for developing predictive tools and management strategies to protect cattle health and economic value.