An intrapericardial technique for pda ligation: Surgical description and clinical outcomein 35 dogs

A number of surgical techniques have been reported for dissection and ligation of patent ductus arteriosi (PDAs) in dogs. Theobjectives of this study were to provide a detailed description of an intrapericardial technique for PDA dissection and ligationand to report the clinical outcome of that technique in dogs. Medical records of 35 dogs were retrospectively reviewed forsignalment, clinical signs, echocardiographic findings, surgical time, intra- and postoperative complications, and completenessof ductal closure. Median surgery time was 60 min (range, 35-125 min). Neither intraoperative nor postoperativecomplications occurred. Within 48 hr of surgery, the continuous left basilar heart murmur was absent in all dogs, andcomplete echocardiographic closure was confirmed in 29 of 32 dogs. Residual flow was identified echocardiographicallyin three dogs within 48 hr of surgery. Residual flow was decreased in one dog at 1 mo, which resolved within 33 mo. One doghad mild residual flow postoperatively but did not return for follow-up. The intrapericardial technique was successful for PDAdissection and ligation and had a lower rate (6%) of echocardiographic residual flow compared with previously reportedtechniques.