Closure of Patent Ductus Arteriosus in a Maltese Dog Using Amplatz Canine Duct Occluder through Femoral Vein

An 8 month-old male Maltese (weighing 2.0 kg) was referred with loud heart murmur at routine physical exam in local animal clinic. Electrocardiogram found left ventricular hypertrophy pattern (4.5 mV R-wave). Diagnostic imaging studies revealed the elongation of left ventricle (LV) with classic triple bumps on the main pulmonary artery, aorta and left atrium on the ventrodorsal view of radiograph. Echocardiography revealed patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) duct and continuous turbulent shunt flow (maximal velocity 4.83 m/s) between the aorta and pulmonary artery with left to right direction. The PDA in this dog was successfully closed through femoral vein (transvenous approach) using a 5 mm Amplatz ® Canine Duct Occluder. To the best of author’s knowledge, this is the first case of PDA occlusion treated with Amplatz Canine Duct Occluder through femoral vein.