Cutting balloon valvuloplasty in a seven month old German Shepherd dog

Abstract

This case presentation discusses a five month old female German Shepherd Dog diagnosed with severe subaortic stenosis (SAS) with a pressure gradient of 143mm Hg. Dogs diagnosed with severe SAS have a grave prognosis with 70% of dogs dying within the first three years of life1, typically due to ventricular arrhythmias as a result of myocardial ischemia2. Treatment options for this disease process have historically been limited to β-1 receptor antagonists or low pressure balloon valvuloplasty. Mean survival rates for medical and surgical treatment options have been reported at 56 and 55 months respectively2. New advances in medical technology have introduced a procedure using two balloons: the first a cutting balloon and the second a high pressure balloon. This new ballooning procedure combined with atenolol treatment was used in this patient, resulting in a post procedural pressure gradient of 76mm Hg (a 46% decrease). Follow up data is still pending at this time.