Transcatheter closure of aneurysmal perimembranous ventricular septal defect with the canine duct occluder in two dogs.

Congenital membranous ventricular septal aneurysm has been reported in dogs and can be associated with a perimembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD). The windsock-like ventricular septal aneurysm is formed by tissue of the membranous ventricular septum and portions of the septal leaflet of the tricuspid valve. We report two dogs that underwent transcatheter closure of perimembranous VSD associated with membranous ventricular septal aneurysm using a commercial device marketed for transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus, the canine duct occluder. Partial closure was achieved in the first dog with reduction in left heart dimensions documented on echocardiography both at one day and nine months after procedure. In the second dog, three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography, cardiac computed tomography, and a three-dimensionally printed whole heart model were used to evaluate feasibility for transcatheter device closure. Complete closure of the VSD was subsequently achieved. Both cases had good short- to medium-term outcomes, no perioperative complications were observed, and both dogs are apparently healthy and receiving no cardiac medications at 34 months and 17 months after procedure. Transcatheter attenuation of perimembranous VSD with membranous ventricular septal aneurysm is clinically feasible using the canine duct occluder, and multimodal cardiac imaging allows accurate assessment and planning prior to transcatheter intervention for structural heart disease in dogs.

Trifoliate left atrioventricular valve with and without intact septal structures in four dogs: echocardiographic findings and surgical repair.

Trifoliate left atrioventricular (AV) valve with common atrioventricular junction is considered part of the spectrum of atrioventricular septal defect. This valve morphology is typically associated with defects in the AV septum resulting in communication at the atrial or ventricular level, but has also been described as an isolated defect in the setting of a common AV junction without AV septal defect. Trifoliate left AV valve exhibits a line of apposition between the bridging leaflets that is directed toward the inlet interventricular septum, distinguishing it from isolated mitral valve cleft in which the orientation of the bridging leaflets are toward the left ventricular outflow tract. The echocardiographic findings of four dogs with trifoliate left AV valve are described; two with intact septal structures and two with large ostium primum defects. Three dogs underwent open surgical repair using different approaches depending on the presence or absence of a septal defect. One of these underwent concurrent surgical repair for right AV valve dysplasia. One dog with intact septal structures underwent interventional closure of a concurrent patent ductus arteriosus. Current terminology associated with trileaflet left AV valve malformations is reviewed.

Phase I clinical trial of an antithrombotic drug protocol combining apixaban and clopidogrel in dogs.

INTRODUCTION: Combining an antiplatelet drug, clopidogrel, with the direct oral Factor Xa inhibitor, apixaban, could provide an effective antithrombotic strategy in dogs. Thus, a limited 3 + 3 phase I dose-escalation clinical trial in healthy dogs was conducted to evaluate bleeding (primary end-point) and pharmacodynamic (PD)/pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters (secondary end-point). ANIMALS: Eleven beagle dogs, median body weight 10.2 kg (9.7-10.9 kg), were enrolled. METHODS: Four doses of apixaban (three dogs/dose) administered for eight days. Clopidogrel dose was fixed at 18.75 mg per os (PO) q 24 h with escalation of apixaban dose at 5 mg PO q 12 h, 5 mg PO q 8 h, 10 mg PO q 12 h, and 10 mg PO q 8 h. Laboratory testing included fecal occult blood, coagulation parameters, Factor X activity, apixaban concentration, platelet aggregometry, and thromboelastography on days 1, 3, and 8. RESULTS: Evidence of bleeding was not observed at any dosage. Dose-dependent changes in PD/PK parameters between baseline and 3 h post-medication were observed including a prolongation of prothrombin time, a prolongation of activated partial thromboplastin time, a decrease of Factor X activity level, and increased apixaban concentration. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of apixaban at a dosage range of approximately 0.5 mg/kg PO q 12 h to 1 mg/kg PO q 8 h and clopidogrel at approximately 1.8 mg/kg PO q 24 h did not cause bleeding over a one-week period in healthy dogs. Clinically relevant changes in PD/PK data occur at all dosage levels. This study provides a starting point for longer-term clinical trials to determine safety and efficacy.

Dilatable pulmonary artery banding for ventricular septal defect: surgical technique and case report of three cats.

Pulmonary artery banding (PAB) is a viable but underreported palliative option for hemodynamically significant ventricular septal defect in small animals. A significant challenge associated with PAB is judging the degree of band tightening, which can be further complicated when animals are immature and still growing at the time of PAB. If a pulmonary artery band is overtightened or becomes progressively too tight after surgery, the result can be reversal of shunt flow with potentially devastating consequences. Placement of a band that could be percutaneously dilated using a balloon catheter affords a minimally invasive option for partially or completely relieving the band should it become too tight after PAB. This report describes a surgical technique for placement of a dilatable pulmonary artery band, reviews guidelines for tightening the band, and reports the outcome of three cats undergoing the procedure. All three cats showed evidence of reduced hemodynamic load after PAB for a period of up to three years after PAB.

Isolated CMV infection causing perianal and sacral ulceration in a patient with aids.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a DNA virus estimated to infect 70-90% of the world’s population, producing minimal symptoms in immunocompetent hosts. In the immunocompromised host, CMV infection can be potentially fatal, producing systemic or localized forms. We report the case of a 52-year-old female with acquired immunodeficiency virus (AIDS) who presented multiple sacral and perineal ulcers clinically and histopathologically consistent with CMV ulcerations. We discuss the patient’s clinical presentation and histologic findings to remind physicians to consider CMV as a cause for cutaneous and systemic infection in the immunocompromised host.

Langerhans cell sarcoma: an unusual microscopic presentation.

A 70-year-old Caucasian male presented to our clinic for a pruritic eruption progressing over several months. He complained of fatigue with a 20-pound weight loss over the past year. On presentation, the patient had browny-yellow to violaceous, purpuric, macular and papular lesions on the legs, arms, lower abdomen and back. Initial biopsy showed an angiocentric infiltrate with a suggestion of intraluminal proliferation; CD31 and Fli-1 positivity suggested either reactive angioendotheliomatosis or an unusual intravascular histiocytosis. Further excisional biopsies demonstrated perivascular collections of cells with ample cytoplasm, prominent nuclear pleomorphism and mitotic activity. The nuclei demonstrated nuclear folding, grooves and indentations. The atypical cells were S100, CD1a and CD56 positive with immunohistochemistry. A diagnosis of Langerhans cell sarcoma (LCS) was made. LCS is a rare, aggressive malignancy that can involve multiple organs including the skin, lymph nodes, lung, bone marrow, spleen, heart, and brain. The skin and lymph nodes are commonly involved, and the cutaneous presentation varies greatly. Immunohistochemistry characteristically shows CD1a and S100 positivity. CD56 expression is uncommon and often portends a poor prognosis. There is no established treatment of LCS due to its rarity. Surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy have been used with varied outcomes. Our patient was treated with prednisone with improvement of cutaneous disease. He did not develop systemic involvement, but died 1.5 years later from complications associated with heart failure. Langerhans cell sarcoma should be considered when faced with an unusual angiocentric infiltrate in which initial immunohistochemical staining results may be misleading.

Prenatally diagnosed fetal neck teratoma. Case report and novel management options.

A case of fetal neck teratoma diagnosed at 32 weeks' gestation is reported. Planning before delivery included consultations with the neonatologist, the anesthesiologist, the otolaryngologist and the social worker. Delivery by cesarean section under epidural anesthesia was carried out at 34 weeks because of preterm labor. The head was delivered and the fetus was intubated within 4(1/2) min using a rigid bronchoscope. Magnesium sulfate and nitroglycerin provided uterine relaxation allowing fetal oxygenation via the uteroplacental circulation. Umbilical artery blood gases were satisfactory. The early neonatal course was complicated by hemorrhage from the teratoma externally as well as intratracheal bleeding and ventilatory problems. The baby died at 40 min of age in his mother's arms.

Fetal anomalies: what is the diagnosis when the chromosomes are normal?

A retrospective study of cases of fetal anomalies associated with a normal karyotype was conducted (1) to evaluate the accuracy of prenatal diagnosis; and (2) to assess two different tools to assist in determining the correct diagnosis. A total of 201 charts were reviewed. The accuracy of the prenatal diagnosis was assessed subjectively by one physician. The London Dysmorphology Database and a locally developed non-computerized tool (Appendix) were assessed retrospectively using 36 test cases. The population studied presented a spectrum of 97 different groups of single (67%) or multiple (33%) anomalies. The prenatal diagnosis was accurate in 57% of the cases. The two proposed tools generated an average of 146 and 15 different diagnoses, respectively and the correct one in 26 and 22 of the 36 test cases. The two studied tools have the potential to generate a differential diagnosis in the presence of a fetal anomaly prior to and following normal karyotype analysis. The non-computerized tool presents the advantages of listing antenatal features and creating a shorter differential diagnosis list with a minimal decrease in the identification rate of the correct diagnosis. Its use should be studied prospectively.