Detachable coils for occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus in 2 dogs

Objective-To describe the use of a detachable coil for transcatheter closur e (TCC) of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in 2 dogs. Study Design-Clinical study. Animals-Two female Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs with PDA. Methods-Using fluoroscopic guidance, an 8-mm-diameter coil stent with 5 loo ps (detachable coils for PDA closure) was inserted via catheterization of t he femoral artery. The catheter was passed tl-trough the PDA into the pulmo nary artery. The coil was withdrawn so that 1.5 loops remained on the pulmo nary side of the orifice of the ductus. The rest of the loops were pushed o ut from the catheter into the ductus. After confirming the correct placemen t of the coil and the effectiveness of the occlusion, the delivery wire was detached from the coil. Results-Insertion of the coil was easily performed, even without previous e xperience. Immediate and marked decrease of the cardiac murmur was ausculta ted. Only slight residual flow was detected by angiography conducted 3 mont hs' postoperatively. The dogs experienced quick and uneventful recovery aft er coil placement and required minimal postoperative care. Follow-up evalua tion of the dogs showed no functional clinical signs of PDA, and no cardiac abnormalities were detected on electrocardiographic, phonocardiographic, a nd echocardiographic examination. In dog 1, the residual flow had disappear ed on the color-flow Doppler echocardiographic examination at 18 months' po stoperatively. Conclusion-TCC using a detachable coil was easy, safe, and effective in 2 d ogs with PDA. The minimal residual shunting observed only by echocardiograp hy seemed hemodynamically insignificant. Clinical Relevance-This method can be used as an alternative to traditional surgical methods. (C) Copyright 2001 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.