Transjugular occlusion of large patent ductus arteriosus with an Amplatzer™ muscular Ventricular Septal Defect occluder in a 3-month-old dog

Abstract

Background: Cardiologists close most patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) defects in dogs using the Amplatz® canine duct occluder (ACDO) via a transarterial approach. However, this approach can be problematic in small dogs due the small femoral artery diameter. In such cases, cardiologists have opted to use coils or vascular plugs deployed from a transvenous approach. However, in small dogs with large PDA, risk of device protrusion into the pulmonary artery, incomplete closure, or device embolization, often leads to surgical PDA closure via thoracotomy. Case Description: The present report describes a 3-month-old male 6 kg Border collie with a large, PDA which was was successfully occluded using the Amplatzer™ muscular Ventricular Septal Defect device (mVSD) from a transvenous approach after closure attempts with an Amplatzer™ Vascular Plug II failed. Conclusion: This is the first case report in veterinary medicine of PDA closure with an Amplatzer™ mVSD occluder device. This approach, described in PDA closure in people, could be considered in minimally invasive PDA closure in small dogs with challanging anatomy.