title: Use of a modified surgical approach to the right atrium for retrieval of heartworms in a dog.
abstract: A 2-year-old 2-kg female Maltese dog was referred for treatment of dirofilariosis and mild caval syndrome characterized by hemolysis and lethargy. Ultrasonography revealed worms within the caudal vena cava, right auricle, right ventricle, and pulmonary artery. Because of the mild clinical signs and small size of the dog, jugular venotomy was not performed, and treatment with sodium caparsolate was instituted. A markedly adverse reaction was noticed on initial injection, characterized by cardiac and respiratory arrest. Further treatment with sodium caparsolate was discontinued. Because of progression of the dog's condition surgical removal of heartworms was elected. A modified surgical approach to the right atrium was performed, using a cannula introduced through a pursestring placed in the wall of the right auricle. This technique allowed almost complete removal of heartworms with minimal blood loss. Postoperative ultrasonography revealed a single heart-worm remaining in the distal portion of the left pulmonary artery, but it was subsequently absorbed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Surgery and Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University, AL 36849-5523, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Kuntz
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Smith-Carr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Huber
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Weigand
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Hankes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001148:Arsenamide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000662:veterinary; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D005369:Filaricides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006325:Heart Atria / Q000469:parasitology / Q000601:surgery*; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000469:parasitology; D014682:Vena Cava, Inferior / Q000469:parasitology
chemical_list: D005369:Filaricides; D001148:Arsenamide