Self-expanding nitinol stents for the treatment of tracheal collapse in dogs: 12 cases (2001-2004).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate long-term outcome following nitinol stent placement in dogs with tracheal collapse.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
12 client-owned dogs with endoscopically diagnosed tracheal collapse refractory to medical management.


METHODS
Medical records were reviewed for 12 dogs in which 1 or more self-expanding nitinol stents were placed for the treatment of endoscopically diagnosed tracheal collapse. A total of 17 stents were placed.


RESULTS
Survival times after stent placement ranged from 1 to 48 months. Three of 12 dogs died within 6 months after stent placement. Nine dogs survived > 1 year after stent placement, and 7 dogs survived > 2 years. Of the deceased dogs, 5 of 9 succumbed to tracheal disease. Other causes of death included congestive heart failure, cerebral neoplasia, cerebrovascular accident, and renal failure. Material failure (stent fracture) was a common complication (5/12 dogs). Other complications reported included excessive granulation tissue within the stent lumen, tracheitis, and pneumonia.


CONCLUSIONS
Placement of an intraluminal stent with self-expanding nitinol stents was a successful palliative treatment for tracheal collapse in dogs that did not respond to medical management. Disease progression is inevitable, but substantial improvement in respiratory function may be achieved for a period of months to years.
Sura
Patricia A
PA
Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-4544, USA.
Krahwinkel
Delbert J
DJ
D000497:Alloys; D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013997:Time Factors; D014133:Tracheal Diseases / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000497:Alloys; C013616:nitinol