Abstract: Background – The Amplatz® canine duct occluder (ACDO) is commercially available for PDA occlusion, however, additional small animal-specific devices are still needed to address current device limitations regarding patient size or ductal morphology. We have developed a new device designed to occlude the PDA of dogs. The system is self-contained with a side-port for angiography, optimal sheath curvature, and is designed to reduce catheter and wire exchanges. The sheath is 5Fr and can accommodate 6-10mm occluders.
Hypothesis/Objectives – The new system and occluder can be introduced into the right femoral artery and successfully deployed into the ductus of dogs > 1.5kg with Type IIa or IIb left-to-right shunting PDA under fluoroscopic guidance. Animals – Client owned ten dogs with PDA from May 2021 to January 2023.
Methods – We retrospectively evaluated the system in 10 dogs with PDA. Occluder size and procedural time were recorded. Echocardiography was used to evaluate the completeness of the PDA occlusion at 1 day and 1-, 3- and 6-months post-procedure.
Results – Mean body weight was 3.14kg (1.5-4.6kg). Occluder sizes used were 6mm (n=4), 8mm (n=2), and 10mm (n=4). Excluding anesthesia, mean procedure time was 25 minutes (20-30 minutes). Occlusion of the PDA was complete at 1 day in 3 dogs and by 1 month in 5 dogs. Residual flow was found in 2 dogs at 3 months but resolved by 6 months.
Conclusions and clinical importance – This study shows that the new PDA occluder system is effective in small dogs requiring 6-10mm occluders.
