Retrospective Study of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in 37 Dogs: Clinical Presentations and Interventional Therapy

This retrospective study reviewed the clinical and diagnostic features, therapeutic outcome and compilations of interventional ductal occlusion in 37 dogs with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Malteses and female dogs were over-presented. Bounding pulse and left basal continuous murmur were most common findings in physical examination,while the differential cyanosis was rarely observed. Left ventricular (LV) enlargement patterns and sinus tachycardia were common in the ECG. Typical radiographic findings included LV elongation and triple bumps indicating left atrial (LA), aortic and pulmonary dilation. Echocardiographic features were typical shunt flow at the ductus arteriosus and marked LV dilation with mild to moderate mitral regurgitation (MR). The 32 of 37 dogs were interventionally treated with either thromboemolic coils (TCE) or Amplatz canine ductal occluder (ACDO). Transient hemoglobinuria caused by incomplete closure was occurred in 2 dogs treated with TCE, although the hemoglobinuria was disappeared within a week of intervention. The dislodgement of occlusion device was occurred in 2 dogs with TCE and 1 dog with ACDO. However there were no significant complications associated with this dislodgement, since those were dislodged at the lower pulmonary vasculature. We also found that no serious complications and no further medical intervention in 29 dogs having long-term follow-ups.