Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Minimally invasive heart treatment for dogs with mitral valve disease
By Allen, Justin W et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2021·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Left atrial decompression as a palliative minimally invasive treatment for congestive heart failure caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs: 17 cases (2018-2019).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 17 dogs, aged 7.5 to 16 years, suffering from severe heart failure due to myxomatous mitral valve disease (a common heart issue in older dogs), underwent a minimally invasive procedure called left atrial decompression (LAD). This treatment aimed to relieve pressure in the heart, which was significantly elevated before the procedure. After LAD, the dogs showed a notable decrease in heart pressure, improving their condition. While the survival time varied, with some dogs living up to 478 days after the procedure, the immediate results were promising for managing their heart failure symptoms.
People also search for: dog heart failure treatment · myxomatous mitral valve disease in dogs · left atrial decompression for dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether left atrial decompression (LAD) would reduce left atrial pressure (LAP) in dogs with advanced myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and left-sided congestive heart failure (CHF) and to describe the LAD procedure and hemodynamic alterations and complications. ANIMALS: 17 dogs with advanced MMVD and left-sided CHF that underwent LAD. PROCEDURES: The medical record database was retrospectively reviewed for all LAD procedures attempted in dogs with MMVD and left-sided CHF between October 2018 and June 2019. Data were collected regarding signalment (age, breed, weight, and sex), clinical signs, treatment, physical examination findings, and diagnostic testing before and after LAD. Procedural data were also collected including approach, technique, hemodynamic data, complications, and outcome. RESULTS: 18 LAD procedures performed in 17 patients were identified. Dogs ranged in age from 7.5 to 16 years old (median, 11 years) and ranged in body weight from 2.9 to 11.6 kg (6.4 to 25.5 lb) with a median body weight of 7.0 kg (15.4 lb). Minimally invasive creation of an atrial septal defect for the purpose of LAD was successful in all dogs without any intraoperative deaths. Before LAD, mean LAP was elevated and ranged from 8 to 32 mm Hg with a median value of 14 mm Hg (reference value, < 10 mm Hg). Following LAD, there was a significant decrease in mean LAP (median decrease of 6 mm Hg [range, 1 to 15 mm Hg]). Survival time following LAD ranged from 0 to 478 days (median, 195 days). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: For dogs with advanced MMVD and left-sided CHF, LAD resulted in an immediate and substantial reduction in LAP.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33683957/