Transarterial Ductal Occlusion with the Amplatzer Vascular Plug in 31 Dogs

BACKGROUND: Transarterial ductal occlusion with the Amplatzer vascular plug was first reported in dogs by Hogan et al in 2005. HYPOTHESIS: Use of the Amplatzer vascular plug is a safe, efficacious method of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) occlusion. ANIMALS: Thirty-one client-owned dogs with PDA. METHODS: Records of 31 dogs in which transarterial occlusion of PDA with an Amplatzer vascular plug was attempted were reviewed. RESULTS: All dogs had a type II PDA, with 27 dogs having type IIA morphology and 4 dogs having type IIB morphology. Appropriate device deployment was achieved in 29 of 31 dogs. Postdeployment angiography in 21 dogs documented complete occlusion in 10 dogs, trivial residual flow in 5 dogs, mild residual flow in 2 dogs, moderate residual flow in 3 dogs, and severe residual flow in 1 dog. Transthoracic color Doppler echocardiography documented complete occlusion in 22 dogs, whereas 2 dogs had trivial residual flow, 2 dogs had mild residual flow, 2 dogs had mild to moderate residual flow, and 1 dog had severe residual flow. Of the 7 dogs with residual flow, 2 had complete occlusion 2-4 months postoperatively, 1 had moderate residual flow 1 month postoperatively, and 4 were lost to follow-up. One dog required a larger device than was able to be deployed through the largest sheath placed in the femoral artery. Pulmonary embolization of the device occurred in 1 dog. CONCLUSION: We conclude that ductal occlusion with an Amplatzer vascular plug is a safe and efficacious therapy for PDA in dogs.