Clinical, echocardiographic and advanced imaging characteristics of 13 dogs with systemic-to-pulmonary arteriovenous fistulas

J Vet Cardiol. 2018 Dec;20(6):415-424. doi: 10.1016/j.jvc.2018.10.001. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

Abstract

Objectives: The objective is to describe the clinical, radiographic, echocardiographic and angiographic findings in dogs with systemic-to-pulmonary arteriovenous fistula (SPAVF).

Animals: Thirteen medical records of client-owned dogs with a diagnosis of SPAVF were reviewed/analysed.

Methods: This is a retrospective study of case records. Thoracic radiography, transthoracic echocardiography (TTE), transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), three-dimensional TEE, intracardiac echocardiography, fluoroscopy-guided or computed tomography (CT) angiography were carried out.

Results: Based on the TTE, SPAVF was identified in seven of the included dogs. In eight cases, TEE and angiography were both performed and confirmed the diagnosis. Computed tomography angiography was performed in three dogs. A case was diagnosed by TEE alone, another one by three-dimensional TEE and the latter by intracardiac echocardiography.

Conclusions: Transthoracic echocardiography identified seven cases of SPAVF, while definitive diagnosis in the remaining dogs required selective angiography or computed tomography angiography.

Keywords: Canine; Computed tomography angiography; Selective angiography; Systemic-to-pulmonary abnormalities; Three-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / diagnostic imaging
  • Arteriovenous Fistula / veterinary*
  • Computed Tomography Angiography / veterinary
  • Dog Diseases / diagnostic imaging*
  • Dog Diseases / pathology
  • Dogs
  • Echocardiography, Transesophageal / veterinary
  • Female
  • Male
  • Medical Records
  • Pulmonary Artery / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Artery / diagnostic imaging
  • Pulmonary Veins / abnormalities*
  • Pulmonary Veins / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography, Thoracic / veterinary
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index

Supplementary concepts

  • Pulmonary Arteriovenous Fistulas