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Closed aortic valvotomy: a retrospective study in 15 dogs
P Dhokarikar1, D D Caywood, P N Ogburn
1Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, USA.
Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association
|September 1, 1995
Summary
Closed, transventricular valvotomy effectively reduced pressure gradients in dogs with subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS). Surviving dogs showed no clinical signs of cardiac disease postoperatively, indicating a positive outcome for this surgical intervention.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Comparative Medicine
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) is a significant congenital heart defect in dogs.
- Accurate diagnosis of SAS requires a multi-modal approach.
- Surgical intervention aims to alleviate pressure gradients across the aortic valve.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of closed, transventricular valvotomy for treating subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) in dogs.
- To assess the impact of the procedure on pressure gradients and clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 15 dogs with SAS undergoing closed, transventricular valvotomy.
- Diagnostic methods included physical examination, radiography, ECG, echocardiography, Doppler ultrasonography, and cardiac catheterization.
- Pressure gradients were measured pre- and post-operatively using cardiac catheterization and Doppler studies.
Main Results:
- Cardiac catheterization revealed significant pressure gradients across the aortic valve pre-surgery (58–130 mm Hg).
- Post-surgical measurements showed substantial reductions in pressure gradients (up to 55%).
- Ten surviving dogs were free of clinical signs of cardiac disease at follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Closed, transventricular valvotomy is an effective treatment for subvalvular aortic stenosis in dogs.
- The procedure leads to significant reduction in aortic pressure gradients.
- Long-term clinical improvement and resolution of cardiac signs were observed in surviving dogs.