# Sudden Death of a 17‐Month‐Old Chimpanzee ( Pan troglodytes ) due to a Congenital Undiagnosed Ventricular Septal Defect

## TL;DR

A 17-month-old chimpanzee suddenly died from an undiagnosed heart defect similar to those seen in humans.

## Contribution

This case highlights the occurrence of undiagnosed VSD in non-human primates leading to sudden death.

## Key findings

- The chimpanzee had a congenital ventricular septal defect (VSD).
- The heart showed left ventricular dilatation and right ventricular hypertrophy.
- The VSD was not diagnosed before the sudden death of the infant.

## Abstract

Ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a congenital defect that is frequently observed in humans. We report the sudden death of an infant chimpanzee due to a congenital undiagnosed VSD. During necropsy, the examination of the heart revealed a VSD, dilatation of the left ventricle and myocardial hypertrophy of the right ventricle.