Acute pulmonary edema in a dog with severe pulmonary valve stenosis: a rare complication after balloon valvuloplasty

Abstract Pulmonic stenosis is a frequent congenital heart disease in dogs and the treatment of choice is balloon valvuloplasty which is usually safe and successful. The authors describe for the first time a severe complication after balloon valvuloplasty in a five-month-old dog. After an effective treatment, with a considerable drop in right ventricular pressures, the dog developed hypoxemia and dyspnea due to pulmonary edema. The dog underwent intensive care and symptoms improved after few hours of oxygen, continuous positive airway pressure and furosemide. Although this event is rare, it could have a large impact on patient survival and should be considered in the treatment of severe pulmonary valve stenosis in the future.