2015 ACVIM Forum Research Abstract Program

Dogs presented for clinical signs (respiratory, weakness, syncope) of heart disease (n = 14, 40%) or evaluation of an asymptomatic murmur (n = 21, 60%). A left basilar continuous murmur was present in 32 (91.4%). Dogs were predominately female (n = 23, 65.7%), with median age of 7.4 years (range, 5.1-12.3) and median weight of 9.6 kg (range, 1.0-44.9). Dogs were classified as small (n = 26) or large (n = 9) breed; most common were mixed (n = 7) and German Shepherd (n = 4). Concurrent heart disease was diagnosed in 22 (62.9%) and was predominately degenerative valve disease (n = 13) and pulmonary hypertension in (n = 9). Concurrent congenital heart disease was rare. 33 were left-to-right shunting with 2 bidirectional. 10 (28.5%) presented on diuretic therapy or required it in hospital prior to closure. Arrhythmias were identified in 14; most common ventricular (n = 9) and atrial fibrillation (n = 4). Mean AE SD (range) at presentation for the following: vertebral heart size (n = 24) was 13.1 AE 1.59(10.7-18.2); left ventricular internal dimension in diastole and systole indexed to body weight (LVIDdN, LVIDsN) was 2.36 AE 0.57(1.14-4.68) and 1.49 AE 0.44(0.79-3.05), respectively; fractional shortening was 34. ). Left atrial enlargement was documented in 28 based on mmode and 2D measurements. PDA closure consisted of transcatheter occlusion in 20 (13 Amplatz Ã’ canine duct occluder (ACDO), 5 coil, 2 vascular plug); surgical ligation in 6. Complications included femoral artery surgical site hemorrhage (n = 2); intraoperative ACDO dislodgment (n = 1). LVIDdN and LVIDsN at post closure recheck were 2.05 AE 0.54(1.29-3.36) and 1.49 AE 0.39(0.91-2.34); respectively. Echocardiographic residual flow was documented within 24 hrs in 8/26 dogs; resolved in all but 1 and developed in 1 by 1-150 days. Diuretic therapy was discontinued in 9/10 dogs after closure. Closure was not performed in 9 because owners declined the recommendation (n = 7) or it was not immediately indicated due to concurrent disease (n = 2).