Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2025
Induction of Right Ventricular Failure by Pulmonary Artery Constriction and Evaluation of Right Ventricular Function in Mice
Published on: May 13, 2019
Surgical Correction of Infundibular Muscular Ventricular Septal Defect in a Cat: A Case Report
Takuma Aoki1,2, Tomomi Terakado1, Yao Jingya1,2
1Laboratory of Small Animal Surgery, Department of Veterinary Medicine, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara City 252-5201, Kanagawa, Japan.
Insights
This study reports the first successful surgical correction of a ventricular septal defect (VSD) in a cat using cardiopulmonary bypass. The innovative technique offers a viable treatment for congenital heart disease in felines.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) can cause severe health issues like congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension in cats.
- Surgical interventions for feline VSDs have not been previously documented, leaving a significant gap in treatment options.
Observation:
- A one-year-old Ragdoll cat presented with an atypical infundibular muscular VSD, classified under the Soto classification.
- Preoperative echocardiography indicated the necessity for intervention due to left heart and main pulmonary artery enlargement.
Findings:
- The first surgical correction of a feline VSD was achieved using cardiopulmonary bypass and cardiac arrest, a rarely employed method in feline surgery.
- Median sternotomy enabled successful VSD closure despite its contralateral location; transient chylothorax occurred due to thoracic duct injury but resolved conservatively.
- Postoperative assessment at 490 days showed minimal residual shunting and normalized heart size, with the cat remaining healthy.
Implications:
- This surgical approach demonstrates a promising treatment strategy for congenital heart disease in cats.
- The successful VSD correction expands the therapeutic possibilities for complex cardiac conditions in veterinary medicine.
- This case highlights the potential of advanced surgical techniques in managing previously untreatable feline cardiac anomalies.
Abstract:
Ventricular septal defects (VSDs) can lead to congestive heart failure and pulmonary hypertension, particularly in patients with large shunts. However, no surgical treatment for feline VSD has been reported. Here, we elucidated the first surgical correction of an infundibular muscular VSD in a one-year-old Ragdoll cat, atypically located and classified under the Soto classification rather than the standard Kirklin classification, through cardiac arrest using cardiopulmonary bypass-a method rarely used in feline cardiac surgery. Detailed echocardiography revealed that the defect required intervention owing to left heart and main pulmonary artery enlargement. Despite the VSD being located on the contralateral side, as anticipated in the preoperative examinations, the choice of median sternotomy allowed for the successful closure of the defect. Conversely, the insertion of two cannulas into the ascending aorta resulted in damage to the adjacent thoracic duct, causing transient chylothorax, which was resolved with conservative treatment. Cardiac arrest induced by a cardioplegic solution facilitated the surgical procedure, although it leads to anemia in cats. However, on postoperative day 490, the patient exhibited only minor residual shunting, with normalized heart size, and remained healthy. This technique appears to be a viable treatment option for congenital heart disease in cats.
More Related Videos
06:04Author Spotlight: Establishment and Confirmation of a Postnatal Right Ventricular Volume Overload Mouse Model
Published on: June 9, 2023
10:18Generation and Characterization of Right Ventricular Myocardial Infarction Induced by Permanent Ligation of the Right Coronary Artery in Mice
Published on: February 1, 2022