Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with vein blockage after chest injury fixed with heart tissue
By Winter, Joshua M et al.·Published in Veterinary surgery : VS·2024·The Royal Veterinary College Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Use of an autologous pericardial patch to repair a post-traumatic caudal vena cava cicatrix in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 1-year-old Rottweiler was brought in with fluid buildup in the abdomen (ascites) after suspected chest trauma. Tests revealed a blockage in a major vein (caudal vena cava) caused by scar tissue, leading to a condition similar to Budd-Chiari syndrome. The veterinarian performed surgery to repair the vein using a patch from the dog's own heart tissue. After three days, the dog was sent home and, at a follow-up six weeks later, showed no signs of fluid buildup. Two years later, the dog remained healthy and symptom-free.
People also search for: dog ascites treatment · Rottweiler surgery recovery · caudal vena cava obstruction in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report the use of a pericardial patch graft to repair a post-traumatic caudal vena cava cicatrix in a dog. STUDY DESIGN: Case report. ANIMALS: A 1 year-old Rottweiler presenting with ascites following presumed blunt thoracic trauma. METHODS: Kinking of the caudal vena cava and resultant Budd-Chiari-like syndrome was diagnosed on echocardiography and computed tomographic angiography (CTA). Surgical exploration via right sixth intercostal thoracotomy was performed. Release of the cicatrix was unsuccessful in reducing the pressure gradient and a pericardial patch graft repair of the thoracic caudal vena cava was therefore performed to relieve the obstruction. RESULTS: The dog recovered from surgery and was discharged after 3 days. Follow-up at 6 weeks showed resolution of ascites and all clinical signs. Owner telephone follow-up at 24 months post-surgery confirmed that the dog remained clinically normal. CONCLUSION: A pericardial patch graft technique can be used successfully to reconstruct the thoracic caudal vena cava, in cases of traumatic kinking where dissection of the fibrotic band alone fails to reduce caudal caval pressure.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39007589/