Coil treatment for patent ductus arteriosus in dogs using fluoroscopy

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of simultaneous fluoroscopic and transthoracic echocardiographic guidance during transarterial coil placement for embolization of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in dogs. DESIGN: Descriptive report. ANIMALS: 3 dogs with PDA. PROCEDURE: Each dog was anesthetized, and a femoral artery was exposed for vascular access. By use of an introducer, a catheter was placed in the thoracic portion of the descending aorta with fluoroscopic guidance, and subsequently, a bolus of iodinated radiographic contrast material was injected to outline the ductus. Under fluoroscopic guidance, 1 coil was positioned in the ductus, but not released. Transthoracic echocardiography was used to ensure that 1 loop of the coil was located in the pulmonary artery. When > 1 loop or no loops were detected in the pulmonary artery, the coil was retrieved and repositioned; when 1 loop of the coil was detected in the pulmonary artery, the coil was detached. After catheter removal, the femoral artery was ligated and the wound was closed. RESULTS: In all 3 dogs, successful embolization of the PDA was achieved. Echocardiography prevented unintentional pulmonary artery embolization in 1 dog and suboptimal coil placement in the other 2 dogs. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In addition to fluoroscopic control, transthoracic echocardiography appears to aid the appropriate positioning of a transarterial coil for treatment of PDA in dogs. Although transesophageal echocardiography would likely provide better images of the ductus, transthoracic echocardiography is a much cheaper, less specialized, and more widely available alternative.