2022 journal article

Medial insertion of the patent ductus arteriosus characterized by computed tomography angiography in a cat and dog

Journal of Veterinary Cardiology, 2.

By: M. Karn*, B. Potter *, K. Pierce*  & B. Scansen*

co-author countries: United States of America πŸ‡ΊπŸ‡Έ
MeSH headings : Animals; Cat Diseases / surgery; Cats; Computed Tomography Angiography / veterinary; Dog Diseases / diagnostic imaging; Dog Diseases / surgery; Dogs; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / diagnostic imaging; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / surgery; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent / veterinary; Echocardiography / veterinary; Ligation / veterinary; Tomography, X-Ray Computed / veterinary
Source: ORCID
Added: February 23, 2023

Surgical ligation of a left-to-right shunting patent ductus arteriosus was attempted in two animals. In both cases, a young cat and dog, ligation was complicated by poor visualization of the ductus resulting in unsuccessful ligation. Post-operatively, both the cat and dog underwent computed tomography angiography to characterize the location and morphology of the patent ductus arteriosus. In both cases, computed tomography angiography revealed a left-to-right shunting patent ductus arteriosus with an insertion location medial to the left pulmonary artery branch compared to the typical location. We hypothesize that this atypical location resulted in a difficult surgical visualization from the left thoracotomy approach. Transvenous coil embolization of the duct from the external jugular vein was performed in both cases and resulted in successful occlusion. Variations in the medial-lateral insertion of the ductus arteriosus may have consequences for surgical intervention. If an atypical location of a patent ductus arteriosus is suspected on transthoracic echocardiography, computed tomography angiography prior to ligation may be useful to further define ductal location and help guide the surgical approach.