Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Evaluation of techniques and outcomes of mitral valve repair in dogs.
- Journal:
- Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
- Year:
- 2004
- Authors:
- Griffiths, Leigh G et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Clinical Sciences · United States
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at how well different surgical techniques work for fixing mitral regurgitation, a heart problem in dogs, and how these surgeries can help dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF). They treated 18 dogs that had severe mitral regurgitation and were all over 5 kg (11 lb). After surgery, 12 of the dogs survived, and many showed improvement, with 9 dogs having their CHF resolved for an average of one year. The best outcomes were seen in dogs that weighed more than 10 kg and had CHF for less than six months before surgery. Overall, mitral valve repair can be effective in helping dogs with this heart condition, especially if done early and in larger dogs.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe surgical techniques for and assess outcome of treatment of mitral regurgitation in dogs. DESIGN: Uncontrolled prospective study. ANIMALS: 18 dogs with naturally occurring mitral regurgitation. PROCEDURE: All dogs weighed > 5 kg (11 lb) and had severe mitral regurgitation, congestive heart failure (CHF), and no serious noncardiac disease. Left ventricular volume indices, left atrial size, and degree of mitral regurgitation were determined echocardiographically before and after surgery. Repair techniques included circumferential annuloplasty, placement of artificial chordae, chordal fenestration and papillary muscle splitting, and edge-to-edge repair. Factors predictive for surgery survival and resolution of CHF were determined. RESULTS: 12 dogs survived surgery. Factors predictive for surgery survival included weight > 10 kg (22 lb) and CHF of less than 6 months' duration. In 9 dogs, CHF resolved for a median period of 1 year (range, 4 months to 3 years) after surgery. One dog had stable CHF at 12 months. One dog died as a result of progressive CHF; another was euthanatized for a noncardiac reason. Left ventricular diastolic volume index was 226.9 +/- 117.7 cm3/m2 before surgery and 134.9 +/- 70.4 cm3/m2 at 6 months after surgery (n = 10). Factors predictive for resolution of CHF included left ventricular diastolic volume index < 250 cm3/m2 and systolic volume index < 70 cm3/m2. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Mitral valve repair may resolve CHF in dogs with severe mitral regurgitation, particularly in dogs that weigh > 10 kg and are treated within 6 months of the onset of CHF.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15230448/