Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Ultrasound shows blood flow changes in dogs after shunt surgery
By Szatmári, Viktor et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2004·Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Netherlands·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Ultrasonographic assessment of hemodynamic changes in the portal vein during surgical attenuation of congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunts in dogs.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 17 dogs with a congenital blood vessel issue called an extrahepatic portosystemic shunt underwent surgery to correct the problem. Before surgery, some dogs had abnormal blood flow patterns that could lead to high ammonia levels in their blood. After the surgery, many dogs showed improved blood flow, and those that did had their ammonia levels return to normal. However, if the blood flow remained abnormal after the procedure, it could lead to serious complications. Overall, the surgery helped most dogs, but careful monitoring is essential to avoid worsening their condition.
People also search for: dog portosystemic shunt surgery · dog high ammonia levels treatment · congenital shunt in dogs symptoms
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine portal hemodynamic changes associated with surgical shunt ligation and establish ultrasonographic criteria for determining the optimal degree of shunt narrowing and predicting outcome. DESIGN: Case series. ANIMALS: 17 dogs, each with a single congenital extrahepatic portosystemic shunt. PROCEDURE: Pre- and postligation flow velocities and flow directions were determined by Doppler ultrasonography intraoperatively in the shunt and in the portal vein cranial and caudal to the shunt origin. Outcome was evaluated 1 month after surgery by measuring blood ammonia concentration and performing abdominal ultrasonography. RESULTS: Hepatofugal flow was detected in 9 of 17 dogs before shunt attenuation in the portal segment that was between the shunt origin and the entering point of the gastroduodenal vein. If hepatofugal flow became hepatopetal after shunt ligation, hyperammonemia resolved. Hepatofugal portal flow was caused by blood that flowed from the gastroduodenal vein toward the shunt. Shunt attenuation converted hepatofugal flow to hepatopetal in the shunt in 12 of 17 dogs. Chronic portal hypertension developed or perioperative death occurred when the portal congestion index caudal to the shunt origin increased by > 3.6 times. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: After hepatopetal flow in the cranial portal vein and the shunt is established, further shunt narrowing is contraindicated. Increase of the portal congestion index caudal to the shunt > 3.5 times should be avoided. Poor outcome because of severe hypoplasia of the portal branches can be expected if the flow direction remains hepatofugal after shunt occlusion cranial to the shunt origin.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14765799/