Surgical correction of a partial atrioventricular septal defect with a ventricular septal defect in a dog

Echocardiography of a dog with a cardiac murmur revealed an ostium primum septal defect, a ventricular septal defect, and mitral valve malformation with regurgitation. The mitral valve and tricuspid valve were separated and displaced at the same level as the ventricular septum. The mitral valve had a cleft in the septal cusp. Cardiac catheterization and angiocardiography showed a left-to-right shunt and a "goose-neck sign," which indicated an elongated left ventricular outflow tract. The diagnosis of a partial atrioventricular septal defect with ventricular septal defect was made. Surgical correction was successfully performed under extracorpo-real circulation using a cardiopulmonary bypass system.     

Spontaneous resolution of an isolated ventricular septal defect in a dog

A 5-month-old Maltese was examined because of a holosystolic heart murmur. Results of echocardiography were suggestive of a small isolated interventricular septal defect. Color flow and pulsed-wave spectral Doppler echocardiography confirmed that there was left-to-right blood flow through the defect during systole and diastole. Because of the small size of the defect, the large systolic pressure differential between the ventricles (72.6 mm Hg), and the lack of clinical signs, the small amount of left-to-right shunting was considered clinically unimportant, and no medication or treatment was recommended. Seven months later, the dog was re-examined, and trans-septal blood flow was no longer seen. Isolated interventricular septal defects are a common congenital heart disorder in some breeds of dogs. Such defects may be subclinical in some dogs. In others, they cause a wide spectrum of clinical problems. Findings in this dog suggest that interventricular septal defects may close spontaneously in some dogs.     

Surgical correction of ventricular septal defect with aortic regurgitation in a dog

An 8-month-old entire Miniature Dachshund, weighing 4.2 kg, was presented for examination following delvelopment of a cough. Ventricular septal defect had been diagnosed tentatively in its infancy on the basis of a cardiac murmur detected by auscultation and echocardiography. Echocardiography using a B mode right parasternal long-axis view showed a defect at the atrioventricular junction and a thickened cusp of the aortic valve prolapsing into the defect. Colour-flow Doppler showed shunt blood flow across the defect at the level of the atrioventricular junction, from left to right. The sinus of Valsalva was dilated, with turbulent blood flow. Aortic regurgitation was also observed. Cardiac catheterisation studies confirmed the diagnosis of a supracristal ventricular septal defect with aortic regurgitation. Despite medication with digoxin, enalapril and aminophylin, started from the first admission, left ventricular internal dimensions gradually increased, and fractional shortening of the left ventricle gradually decreased. Surgery, with the aid of extracorporeal circulation, to close the ventricular septal defect, was performed 1 year after the initial examination. The aortic valve was left untreated. Postoperatively, the systolic murmur disappeared. Shunt flow from the left to the right ventricle was no longer observed on echocardiography, however there was still a small amount of aortic regurgitation during diastole visualised with colour-flow Doppler echocardiography. The prolapse of the cusp of the aortic valve on B-mode echocardiography was no longer observed and thickening of the cusp had not progressed. Left ventricular function measurement using M mode echocardiography showed a reduced left ventricular volume overload with reduced left ventricular internal dimensions and increased fractional shortening. The cough was relieved and no follow-up medication was scheduled. Early surgical closure of the ventricular septal defect improved the patient's condition and controlled prolapse and thickening of the aortic valve.     

Aorticopulmonary septal defect in a dog.

A 2-year-old Brittany Spaniel ahd clinical signs of pulmonary diseases and pulmonary hypertension, with cardiac murmur and congestive heart failure. Aorticopulmonary septal defect was detected by means of cardiac catheterization. Attempted surgical correciton was unsuccessful.     

Aorticopulmonary septal defect in a German shepherd dog

A 2-year-old, female German shepherd dog was referred with a 2-month history of dyspnea, ascites, and anorexia. On physical examination, an arrhythmia, tachypnea, and a continuous grade V/VI heart murmur were evidenced. Atrial fibrillation and tall R waves were noted on electrocardiography. Survey thoracic radiography revealed generalized cardiomegaly and enlarged pulmonary vessels. Echocardiography demonstrated severe dilatation of the left atrium and ventricle with reduced fractional shortening. Doppler echocardiography showed continuous and turbulent flow in the ascending aorta between the aorta and the pulmonary artery. Necropsy demonstrated an aorticopulmonary septal defect.     

Percutaneous occlusion of a muscular ventricular septal defect with an Amplatzer® Muscular VSD occluder

Ventricular septal defects are a relatively common congenital cardiac disease that, when severe, can be associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Several minimally invasive methods of repair have been described in the human literature. This report describes the first case of percutaneous closure of a naturally occurring muscular septal defect using an Amplatzer^® occluder in a dog affected by concurrent pulmonic stenosis. Based on this experience catheter-based occlusion of muscular ventricular septal defects is a feasible option in dogs. Further studies are necessary to identify the attributes and limitations of the technique.     

Pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect with aortopulmonary collaterals in an adult dog

Pulmonary atresia and ventricular septal defect (PA-VSD) was diagnosed in a 2-year-old castrated male Terrier mix. Transthoracic echocardiography identified a large ventricular septal defect, overriding aorta and severe right ventricular hypertrophy. A main pulmonary artery could not be identified, consistent with pulmonary atresia or persistent truncus arteriosus. Transesophageal echocardiography and angiography confirmed PA-VSD with aortopulmonary collateral circulation arising from the descending thoracic aorta. This case report describes the antemortem diagnosis of the rare congenital defect PA-VSD in an adult dog.     

Transcatheter closure of an atrial septal defect in a dog

Atrial septal defect, while rare in dogs, can result in severe clinical signs. Surgical correction of atrial septal defect requires open-heart surgery. Transcatheter closure techniques provide minimally invasive surgical alternatives.     

Ventricular septal defect repair in a small dog using cross-circulation

SUMMARY A haemodynamically significant ventricular septal defect was diagnosed in a 3-month-old male Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. A median sternotomy was performed and the 6.5 kg dog placed on cardiopulmonary bypass using pump-assisted cross-circulation. A 10 mm diameter peri-membranous ventricular septal defect was closed using a continuous suture of 4–0 polypropylene, via a 2.5 cm incision in the right ventricular outflow tract. The duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was 90 minutes. Complications in the immediate postoperative period were mild and easily managed.     

Right atrioventricular atresia and ventricular septal defect in a foal

Right atrioventricular atresia with a ventricular septal defect, a rare congenital cardiac anomaly of either animals or man, was diagnosed in a one week old Arabian foal. The foal had been weak and cyanotic since birth, sometimes becoming dyspneic when stressed. Necropsy revealed a dilated and hypertrophied left ventricle with the right ventricle being small. The right atrioventricular valve was absent. The right and left ventricles communicated via a septal defect which was located immediately adjacent to the aortic valve.     

Right ventricular aneurysm and atrial septal defect in a cat

This case report shows the development of a right ventricular aneurysm in a cat with a large atrial septal defect. Despite this complex cardiac pathology, the cat lived normally for more than 4 years and developed fatal congestive heart failure.     

Supplemental embolization coil implantation for closure of patent ductus arteriosus in a beagle dog.

Embolization coil for the occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was inserted in a beagle dog diagnosed as PDA with systolic murmur. Residual shunt was observed three months postoperatively and then supplemental coil was inserted. In the past only one coil was required for the closure of PDA in our cases with good post-operative results. In this case, however, the largest coil presently available (8 mm in diameter with 5 loops) was inadequate to make sufficient closure within 3 months postoperatively and supplemental coil insertion was necessary to produce a successful occlusion.     

Transcatheter closure of congenital ventricular septal defects in 3 dogs with a detachable coil

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of transcatheter closure in dogs with a congenital perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) by using a detachable coil. No dogs showed any symptoms, and results of chest X-rays and ECGs were normal. The diameters of VSD ranged from 2 to 4 mm on echocardiogram. The defect was 2-2.5 mm from the aortic valve. A detachable coil (size 5 mm with 5 loops) designed for patent ductus arteriosus was delivered via the transarterial route. The device was successfully employed in all dogs. A minimal residual shunt was observed in all dogs even though Qp/Qs decreased. Hemolysis and a rate-dependent right-bundle branch block were observed in 1 dog, but there was no clinical significance. No major complication was noted. Pathologic examination after 1 year revealed that the coils were covered with tissue without significant damage to the His-Purkinje conduction system. In conclusion, transcatheter closure of a small perimembranous VSD with a detachable coil can be achieved without major complications or significant pathologic damage at the lesion site.     

Normal and paradoxical ventricular septal motion in the dog

Normal and paradoxical ventricular septal motions were studied in dogs, using M-mode and 2-dimensional echocardiography. Normal ventricular septal motion was evaluated, using 35 clinically healthy dogs (group I), and was compared with characteristics of septal motion measured in 12 dogs with right ventricular overload (group II) and 14 dogs with left-sided heart disease (group III). Normal ventricular septal motion consisted of a series of active and passive anterior (right cranial) and posterior (left caudal) movements that were subjectively evaluated and quantitated during segments of the cardiac cycle. Maximum excursion of the ventricular septum occurred during systole, was directed toward the left ventricle, and was related to body size. Determination of a normalized radius of septal curvature from analysis of 2-dimensional echocardiogram indicated that the septal arc formed part of a generally circular left ventricle in group I dogs. In contrast to these findings, group II dogs with right ventricular pressure and volume overloads exhibited reduced systolic septal excursion, diminished or flat septal motion, and paradoxical systolic septal motion. Normalized radius of septal curvature was significantly greater in group II dogs than in group I or group III dogs. Septal motion and radius of septal curvature in dogs comprising group III were not significantly different from normal during most phases of the cardiac cycle. Results of this study support the concept that septal motion is a reflection of overall left ventricular shape and that abnormalities in ventricular septal motion, namely flat or paradoxical septal motion, should cause the clinician to suspect right ventricular volume or pressure overload.