Clip ligation for treatment of patent ductus arteriosus occlusion in three cats

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Cardiology
• Small Animal Surgery
• Congenital Cardiovascular Anomalies

Background:

• Patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a rare congenital cardiovascular anomaly in cats.
• Surgical closure of PDA in kittens presents unique challenges due to their small size.
• Intercostal thoracotomy is a common surgical approach for PDA in felines.

Observation:

• This case report details the surgical treatment of three kittens diagnosed with PDA, weighing 1.4 kg, 1.2 kg, and 2.9 kg.
• Clip ligation was performed via a left fourth intercostal thoracotomy in all three cases.
• All kittens were successfully treated with no residual flow detected on postoperative echocardiography.

Findings:

• Clip ligation via left fourth intercostal thoracotomy is a safe and effective surgical technique for treating PDA in small cats.
• The procedure resulted in successful closure of the PDA in all reported cases.
• Postoperative echocardiography confirmed the absence of residual shunting, indicating successful treatment.

Implications:

• This case report provides valuable insights into the surgical management of PDA in pediatric feline patients.
• Clip occlusion represents a potentially safe and effective method for addressing PDA in small cats, expanding treatment options.
• Further studies could explore long-term outcomes and compare clip ligation with other PDA closure techniques in kittens.