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Comparison of canine heartworm removal rates using flexible alligator forceps guided by transesophageal
Noboru Arita1, Itsushin Yamane, Naoyuki Takemura
1Department of Reproduction, Nippon Veterinary and Animal Science University, Tokyo, Japan.
Insights
Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided heartworm removal offers similar efficacy to fluoroscopy (FS)-guided methods but avoids radiation exposure. TEE provides better visualization, making it a potentially superior clinical option for heartworm extraction.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Heartworm disease necessitates interventions for worm removal.
- Current methods often rely on imaging guidance, posing potential risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the efficacy of fluoroscopy-guided (FS) versus transesophageal echocardiography-guided (TEE) heartworm removal.
- To evaluate the safety and visualization benefits of each guidance method.
Main Methods:
- Flexible alligator forceps were used for heartworm extraction.
- Procedures were guided by either fluoroscopy (FS) or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE).
- Worm removal rates and visualization quality were assessed.
Main Results:
- Heartworm removal rates were comparable between FS-guided and TEE-guided procedures.
- TEE guidance eliminated radiation exposure associated with FS.
- TEE facilitated superior visualization of worms within cardiac chambers and the pulmonary artery.
Conclusions:
- Both FS- and TEE-guided methods achieve similar heartworm removal rates.
- TEE-guided heartworm removal is advantageous due to the absence of radiation and enhanced visualization.
- TEE guidance is considered a more clinically useful approach for heartworm removal.
Abstract:
Fluoroscopy (FS)- or transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-guided heartworm removal was carried out using flexible alligator forceps to compare the rate of worm removal. As a result, the worm removal rates were similar between the two procedures. However, the TEE-guided procedure does not involve radiation exposure, and facilitates observation of worms in the cardiac chamber and pulmonary artery. Therefore, the TEE-guided procedure is thought to be more useful than the FS-guided procedure in clinical setting.
