Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Long-term relief for dogs with tetralogy of Fallot using a modified
By Brockman, Daniel J et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2007·Department of Clinical Science, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Long-term palliation of tetralogy of Fallot in dogs by use of a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of six dogs with severe heart problems caused by tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) underwent a modified surgical procedure called the Blalock-Taussig shunt to help improve their condition. After the surgery, five of the dogs survived the immediate recovery, and three of them continued to live well for several years. Although one dog, the smallest of the group, passed away shortly after surgery, the remaining dogs showed improved quality of life, and the shunt remained open and functional. This procedure appears to be a safe option for managing TOF in dogs, offering a less risky and more affordable alternative to traditional heart surgery.
People also search for: dog tetralogy of Fallot treatment · heart surgery for dogs · modified Blalock-Taussig shunt in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe a modified Blalock-Taussig shunt (mBT) procedure and assess its use in dogs with clinical signs associated with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). DESIGN: Descriptive report. ANIMALS: 6 dogs with severe TOF-associated clinical signs. PROCEDURES: Each dog had TOF (confirmed echocardiographically or angiographically) and underwent an mBT shunt procedure for surgical palliation of signs. The surgery was performed through a left fourth rib resection or a left fifth intercostal thoracotomy. The left subclavian artery was dissected free from surrounding mediastinal tissue. The main pulmonary artery trunk was exposed through an incision in the overlying pericardium. A shunt comprised of a 6-mm-diameter tube of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (5 dogs) or a segment of carotid artery (1 dog) was sutured end to side between the left subclavian artery and pulmonary artery trunk. RESULTS: 5 of the 6 dogs survived the immediate postoperative period. The dog that died shortly after surgery was the smallest of the dogs (weight, 2.9 kg [6.38 lb]) and had received the carotid artery autograft. Three dogs survived long term and 2 dogs died of unknown causes 6 years after undergoing the mBT shunt procedure. In all dogs that survived the mBT procedure, shunt patency was confirmed and quality of life appeared improved. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings have suggested that the mBT shunt procedure safely provides long-term palliation of TOF-associated clinical signs in dogs. In addition, it may offer an effective low-risk and lower-cost alternative to open heart repair of TOF.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17764430/