Cover Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
ISSN:
0003-1488
Publication Date:
15 Jan 2010
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Outcome of minimally invasive surgical treatment of heartworm caval syndrome in dogs: 42 cases (1999–2007)

Christina M. Bové DVM1, Sonya G. Gordon DVM, DVSc, DACVIM2, Ashley B. Saunders DVM, DACVIM3, Matthew W. Miller DVM, MS, DACVIM4, Risa M. Roland DVM, DACVIM5, Sarah E. Achen DVM, DACVIM6, Lori T. Drourr DVM, DACVIM7, and May M. Boggess PhD8
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  • 1 Animal Emergency Clinic, 19311 State Hwy 249, Houston, TX 77070.
  • | 2 Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and The Michael E. DeBakey Institute for Comparative Cardiovascular Sciences and Biomedical Devices, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843.
  • | 3 Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and The Michael E. DeBakey Institute for Comparative Cardiovascular Sciences and Biomedical Devices, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843.
  • | 4 Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences and The Michael E. DeBakey Institute for Comparative Cardiovascular Sciences and Biomedical Devices, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843.
  • | 5 Metropolitan Veterinary Associates, 2626 Van Buren Ave, Norristown, PA 19403.
  • | 6 Michigan Veterinary Specialists, 29080 Inkster Rd, Southfield, MI 48034.
  • | 7 163 Prospect Ave, Sausalito, CA 94965.
  • | 8 Department of Statistics, College of Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.236.2.187
Volume/Issue:
Volume 236: Issue 2
Online Publication Date:
15 Jan 2010
Restricted access
Reprints and Permissions Purchase Article

Abstract

Objective—To report the outcome of minimally invasive surgical treatment of heartworm caval syndrome in a series of dogs and to provide information on long-term survival of patients with this condition.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—42 client-owned dogs with a diagnosis of heartworm caval syndrome.

Procedures—Information on history, clinical, laboratory, and diagnostic imaging findings and treatment was obtained from medical records. When possible, additional follow-up information was obtained through telephone interviews with referring veterinarians and owners.

Results—Of the 42 dogs with caval syndrome, 21 underwent minimally invasive surgical treatment consisting of transvenous heartworm extraction. Two of the 21 dogs died during the procedure, and after surgery, 4 died. Following induction of anesthesia, heartworms migrated into the distal portion of the pulmonary artery in 1 dog; therefore, extraction was not attempted. Transvenous heartworm extraction was completed successfully in 14 dogs, and all 14 of these dogs were discharged from the hospital. Mean follow-up time in these 14 dogs was 24.4 ± 17.7 months with a range of 2 to 56 months. At the time of final follow-up, 10 of these 14 dogs had survived at least 18 months and 7 had survived > 24 months. By the end of the study, 1 dog was lost to follow-up and 3 had been euthanatized for unrelated reasons.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results of the study reported here suggest that dogs with caval syndrome that undergo successful transvenous heartworm extraction and survive to discharge have a good long-term prognosis.

Contributor Notes

Address correspondence to Dr. Gordon (sgordon@cvm.tamu.edu).