OPEN-HEART CORRECTION OF TETRALOGY OF FALLOT IN AN ACYANOTIC DOG

Palliative treatment of tetralogy of Fallot in dogs has included P-adr energic blockers to reduce right ventricular obstruction secondary to infundibular spasm, creation of systemic to pulmonary artery shunts to increase pulmonary blood flow, or both. Primary definitive open-heart repair is the preferred treatment in humans, but successful correctio n of defects in dogs is rare. Adaptation of cannulation, perfusion, an d myocardial protection techniques used for human pediatric cardiac pa tients may improve the success of cardiac surgery in dogs. Open-heart correction of tetralogy of Fallot in dogs is an alternative that may b e a superior therapeutic option.