Comparison of canine heartworm removal rates using flexible alligator forceps guided by transesophageal echocardiography and fluoroscopy.
Fluoroscopy (FS)- or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided heartworm removal was carried out using flexible alligator forceps to compare the rate of worm removal. As a result, the worm removal rates were similar between the two procedures. However, the TEE-guided procedure does not involve radiation exposure, and facilitates observation of worms in the cardiac chamber and pulmonary artery. Therefore, the TEE-guided procedure is thought to be more useful than the FS-guided procedure in clinical setting.
Arita
Noboru
N
Department of Reproduction, Nippon Veterinary and Animal Science University, Tokyo, Japan.
Yamane
Itsushin
I
Takemura
Naoyuki
N
D000818:Animals; D004183:Dirofilaria immitis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004184:Dirofilariasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D017548:Echocardiography, Transesophageal / Q000662:veterinary*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000662:veterinary*; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000601:surgery* / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D013525:Surgical Instruments / Q000662:veterinary; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary