Two- and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiographic assessment and successful occlusion of a window-like patent ductus arteriosus in two dogs.

A 16-month-old Labrador-Poodle cross (case 1) and a 3-month-old German shorthaired pointer (case 2) were referred for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion. Two-dimensional transthoracic and two- and three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography revealed a window-like PDA characterized by a wide and short ductus. Due to the atypical PDA morphology with no ampulla in case 1, ductal occlusion was attempted with non-canine-specific Amplatzer occluder devices. However, these were too small and failed to remain stable. Amplatz Canine Duct Occluder (ACDO) devices were used with success in both cases. Due to the defects' morphology, the proximal ACDO disc protruded into the aorta but there were no signs of obstruction to aortic blood flow 16 months (case 1) and 1 month (case 2) post-occlusion. We describe two cases of a window-like type PDA that were successfully occluded with an ACDO.

Echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular systolic function in healthy Beagle dogs compared to high field cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

Ten healthy Beagle dogs were used to compare selected echocardiographic parameters of right ventricular (RV) systolic function with high field cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All dogs underwent complete transthoracic echocardiography before and during anesthesia, as well as cardiac MRI with determination of morphology-based ejection fraction, and phase contrast angiography-derived stroke volume. A correlation analysis was carried out between echocardiographic and MRI parameters. The values of fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, tissue Doppler imaging derived peak velocity of the isovolumic contraction wave and systolic wave of the lateral tricuspid valve annulus showed lower values under general anesthesia. Of all echocardiographic parameters of RV systolic function, only fractional area change (r = 0.671, P = 0.034) and tissue Doppler imaging derived peak velocity of the systolic wave of the lateral tricuspid valve annulus (r = 0.768; P = 0.01), showed a significant correlation with MRI derived stroke volume. None of the echocardiographic parameters correlated with MRI derived ejection fraction. When evaluating the RV echocardiographically, fractional area change and peak velocity of the systolic wave of the lateral tricuspid valve annulus appear to be the most reliable predictors of RV systolic function when compared to MRI under anesthesia.