Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Balloon treatment for severe lung valve narrowing in a tiny dog
By Kadowaki, K et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology·2025·Kinki Animal Medical Training Institute & Veterinary Clinic, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Transfemoral vein approach for balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in a 1.2-kg dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 10-month-old female Maltese dog was brought in because of a heart murmur. Tests showed she had severe pulmonary valve stenosis, which is a narrowing of the heart valve that can cause serious issues. Due to her small size, the vet performed a special procedure called balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty through the femoral vein, using a balloon to widen the valve. After the procedure, her heart pressure improved significantly, and she showed no signs of complications. As of nearly five months later, she was doing well and had no recurrence of the heart issue.
People also search for: Maltese heart murmur treatment · balloon valvuloplasty for dogs · puppy pulmonary valve stenosis
Abstract
A 10-month-old, 1.2-kg, unspayed female Maltese dog presented with the chief complaint of a heart murmur. Echocardiography revealed a transpulmonary velocity of 5.28 m/s (estimated pressure gradient: 112 mmHg) and severe pulmonary valve stenosis with an estimated pulmonary valve annulus diameter of 7.2 mm. Given the dog's small size, a balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty via the femoral vein was considered. The pulmonary valve annulus was dilated thrice using a 10-mm balloon (balloon-to-annulus ratio: 1.39). After the balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty, right ventricular systolic pressure decreased from 125 to 78 mmHg. The interventional procedure was completed without serious complications. As of postoperative day 149, the maximum transpulmonary velocity decreased to 2.43 m/s (estimated pressure gradient: 24 mmHg), recurrence of pulmonary valve stenosis was not observed, and the patient was doing well clinically. In conclusion, an approach performed via the femoral vein in this 1.2-kg dog resulted in a successful procedure without significant complications.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40311277/