Submitted by J. Hudson on Mon, 22/07/2024 - 11:16
Meet Luna, a Labrador puppy who recently stole our hearts at the Queen’s Veterinary Hospital (QVSH). Luna was referred to our cardiology service after her vet detected a loud heart murmur. A detailed heart scan revealed that Luna had a complex congenital heart defect, consisting of severe pulmonary stenosis and a patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). These conditions made it difficult for Luna's heart to function properly, but our team was determined to help her.
Pulmonary stenosis is a narrowing of the pulmonary valve, causing high pressure in the right side of the heart, while a PDA is a blood vessel that should close shortly after birth but hadn’t, potentially leading to heart failure. To correct these defects, Luna underwent minimally invasive ‘key-hole’ surgery, a challenging but necessary procedure.
Our skilled cardiologists tackled the pulmonary stenosis with a balloon-valvuloplasty, a procedure where a balloon is inflated to open the defective valve. Luna’s case was particularly tricky due to her large pulmonary artery, requiring a double-balloon technique for success. Following this, her PDA was closed with an Amplatz canine duct occluder (ACDO), delivered via a catheter through a small artery in her groin, effectively acting as a plug to close the abnormal vessel.
The procedure was a triumph, and Luna is recovering beautifully! She recently visited us for her 4-week post-procedure check and is thriving. Her heart scan showed no more obstructions and a fully closed PDA.
