Right to Left Atrial Septum Defect Compounded with Patent Ductus Arteriosus in a Maltese Dog

A nine-month-old intact female Maltese dog (body weight: 1.5 kg) presented with frequent syncopal episodes (1-2/day), exercise intolerance, and dyspnea. Cardiomegaly with marked dilation of right and left atria along with ascites was indicated on radiography. Tricuspid regurgitant jets (4.36 m/s), pulmonary regurgitant jets (3.4 m/s), left-to-right shunting flow at the ductus arteriosus, and an atrial septal defect were observed on echocardiography. A bubble study with agitated saline found right-to-left shunting at the interatrial septum. Based on diagnostic studies, the dog was diagnosed with right-to-left atrial septum defect (ASD) compounded with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). The treatment was directed to reduce the pulmonary hypertension, improve cardiac performance, and lower fluid retention. Despite medical treatment for 2 months, the dog died of sudden cardiac arrest. Herein, we describe a very rare case of rightto-left ASD compounded with PDA.