Evaluation of techniques and outcomes of mitral valve repair in dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To describe surgical techniques for and assess outcome of treatment of mitral regurgitation in dogs.


METHODS
Uncontrolled prospective study.


METHODS
18 dogs with naturally occurring mitral regurgitation.


METHODS
All dogs weighed > 5 kg (11 lb) and had severe mitral regurgitation, congestive heart failure (CHF), and no serious noncardiac disease. Left ventricular volume indices, left atrial size, and degree of mitral regurgitation were determined echocardiographically before and after surgery. Repair techniques included circumferential annuloplasty, placement of artificial chordae, chordal fenestration and papillary muscle splitting, and edge-to-edge repair. Factors predictive for surgery survival and resolution of CHF were determined.


RESULTS
12 dogs survived surgery. Factors predictive for surgery survival included weight > 10 kg (22 lb) and CHF of less than 6 months' duration. In 9 dogs, CHF resolved for a median period of 1 year (range, 4 months to 3 years) after surgery. One dog had stable CHF at 12 months. One dog died as a result of progressive CHF; another was euthanatized for a noncardiac reason. Left ventricular diastolic volume index was 226.9 +/- 117.7 cm3/m2 before surgery and 134.9 +/- 70.4 cm3/m2 at 6 months after surgery (n = 10). Factors predictive for resolution of CHF included left ventricular diastolic volume index < 250 cm3/m2 and systolic volume index < 70 cm3/m2.


CONCLUSIONS
Mitral valve repair may resolve CHF in dogs with severe mitral regurgitation, particularly in dogs that weigh > 10 kg and are treated within 6 months of the onset of CHF.
Griffiths
Leigh G
LG
Department of Clinical Sciences, James L. Voss Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA.
Orton
E Christopher
EC
Boon
June A
JA
D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013522:Surgery, Veterinary / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome