Efficacy of open patch-grafting under cardiopulmonary bypass for pulmonic stenosis in small dogs.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of an open patch-graft technique under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in small dogs. DESIGN AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 10 dogs with pulmonic stenosis. Records between 1992 and 2002 were reviewed. The effect of surgical correction was evaluated and perioperative parameters were compared between survivors and non-survivors. RESULTS: The postoperative pulmonary pressure gradient was reduced in all seven surviving patients. Mean +/- SE was 21.5 +/- 7.4 mmHg (range 3.0-54.2 mmHg) and 6/7 dogs were < 40 mmHg at 3 months postoperatively. Comparing the data between those patients that survived and those that did not, the preoperative pressure gradient (P = 0.04) and volume of the Glucose-Insulin-Kalium solution used (P = 0.001) were significantly higher in those that did not survive. CONCLUSION: Open patch-grafting can be performed in small-breed dogs and decreased the pulmonary pressure gradient in survivors at 3 months postoperatively. However, this technique is more invasive than balloon valvuloplasty and should be used cautiously in severely stenosed patients.