Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Coil treatment to close heart defect in small dogs under 3 kg
By Henrich, E et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2011·Small Animal Clinic Internal Medicine, Germany·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Transvenous coil embolization of patent ductus arteriosus in small (≤3.0 kg) dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of small dogs, mainly Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers, were treated for a heart condition called patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), which causes abnormal blood flow. The dogs, weighing less than 3 kg and averaging about 7 months old, underwent a special procedure where a coil was placed in their heart through a vein instead of an artery. This method was successful in closing the PDA in 76% of the dogs immediately, and 90% had complete closure over time. All dogs tolerated the procedure well and showed improvement afterward.
People also search for: small dog heart condition treatment · Chihuahua PDA closure · Yorkshire Terrier heart problem · patent ductus arteriosus in dogs
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Surgical and interventional therapy for occlusion of a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in small dogs is challenging. Interventional closure of a PDA is rarely described in small dogs. HYPOTHESIS: Transvenous single-coil occlusion of a PDA in small (≤3.0 kg) dogs is possible and safe. ANIMALS: Twenty-one client-owned dogs with a left-to-right shunting PDA. METHODS: Prospective clinical study. Inclusion criteria were a left-to-right shunting PDA and a body weight ≤3.0 kg. Dogs with additional congenital cardiac diseases were excluded. Without arterial access, a single detachable coil was implanted by a transvenous approach with a 4 Fr catheter. RESULTS: Twenty-one dogs were the study population with Chihuahua and Yorkshire Terrier being the commonest breeds (n = 6 and n = 5, respectively). There were 14 female and 7 male dogs. The age range was 1.9-83.5 months (median, 7.7 months), and the body weight was 1.0-2.9 kg (1.87 ± 0.45). By angiography, the minimal ductal diameter measured 1.2-2.4 mm (median, 1.8 mm) and the PDA ampulla diameter was 2.4-5.9 mm (median, 4.6 mm). Coil implantation was successful in all dogs. After detachment of the coil from the delivery cable, repositioning of the pulmonary loop of the coil became necessary in 1 dog. The prevalence of immediate closure was 76%. The prevalence of cumulative closure was 90%. CONCLUSION: For an experienced cardiologist, transvenous occlusion of a PDA in small dogs is possible with a 4 Fr catheter and a commercial single detachable coil. Arterial access is not essential. The procedure is safe and successful in experienced hands.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21092005/