Use of a self-expanding occluding stent for nonsurgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical application of a catheter-delivered, self-expanding occluding stent for closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in dogs.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
23 client-owned dogs weighing at least 3 kg (6.6 lb).


METHODS
Dogs were evaluated by physical examination, electrocardiography, thoracic radiography, and 2-dimensional, M-mode, spectral and color-flow Doppler echocardiography to confirm the diagnosis and obtain baseline measures. Shunt severity and ductal size and anatomy were established by means of angiography. With fluoroscopic guidance, the occluding stent, attached to a delivery cable, was maneuvered though the right side of the heart into the ductus via a prepositioned introducer sheath. After angiographic verification of appropriate stent placement, the delivery cable was detached, and the introducer sheath was withdrawn. Closure of the PDA was evaluated by means of angiography 15 minutes after stent deployment and by echocardiography 1 and 3 months after the procedure.


RESULTS
There were no operative deaths. There were 2 deployment failures, both attributable to avoidable operator errors. Angiography performed after stent deployment indicated PDA closure in 13 of 20 (65%) dogs. There were 2 postoperative deaths in dogs with heart failure; both deaths were thought to be unrelated to use of the occluding stent. Complete PDA closure, determined by Doppler color-flow echocardiography, was evident in 17 of 19 dogs within 3 months and in 1 additional dog within 1 year of stent deployment, resulting in closure in 18 of 19 dogs completing the study protocol.


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that a catheter-delivered occluding stent can be used successfully to close PDAs in dogs.
Sisson
David
D
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
D000792:Angiography / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization / Q000662:veterinary; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004374:Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D015607:Stents / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome