Use of Amplatz® canine duct occluder for closing a patent ductus arteriosus in a small-sized dog

A 2-year-old intact female pomeranian dog presented dys- pnea, labored breathing, cough, exercise intolerance, ma- chinery heart murmur, and precordial thrill. A left-to-right patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was diagnosed based on two-dimensional echocardiography, thoracic radiography, electrocardiography, and blood work. An angiography was performed to accurately evaluate the size and shape of the duct. An interventional approach for transcatheterial oc- clusion of the PDA was achieved using an Amplatz ® Canine Duct Occluder (ACDO), which is a commercially available ductal occluding device. Due to the limited size of the dog’s femoral artery, a device smaller [125% of minimal ductal diameter (MDD); recommended size: 150~200% of MDD] than recommended was mounted. After placement of the ACDO, precordial thrill and continuous heart murmur dis- appeared, and the patient was discharged the next day after stabilization with O 2 supply. Upon follow up examination, dyspnea, labored breathing, cough, exercise intolerance, and cardiomegaly were improved with no complications after the procedure. The ACDO was well maintained in po- sition. This case represents successful clinical application of the Amplatz ® Canine Duct Occluder to achieve closure of a PDA using a slightly smaller device than the recommended size.