Transvenous closure of patent ductus arteriosus with Nit-Occlud® PDA occlusion system in 13 dogs weighing less than 3 kg.

Introduction: Successful closure of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) can be obtained with surgical ligation or with occlusion via minimally invasive per-catheter techniques. This study was performed to assess feasibility and effectiveness of transjugular PDA occlusion in dogs weighing < 3 kg with a device called Nit-Occlud® PDA.

Animals: Thirteen client-owned dogs.

Materials And Methods: This was a retrospective study. Clinical records of dogs that underwent PDA occlusion with a Nit-Occlud® PDA were reviewed. Data collection included patients' signalment, clinical findings, pre- and post-procedure echocardiographic measurements, device size, procedure time and clinical outcome.

Results: The median age of these patients was six months (2.5-38.0 months), with a mean body weight of 2.44 ± 0.43 kg. The mean minimal ductal diameter (MDD) was 1.82 ± 0.43 mm, while the mean ampulla diameter (AD) was 5.51 ± 1.89 mm. Duct closure was successful in 12 cases. Minimal or no residual shunt was observed on echocardiography prior to device release. In one dog, the device was not released owing to unsatisfactory occlusion, prompting an alternative occlusion method. Follow-up echocardiographic examinations showed complete ductal closure and reversed cardiac remodelling in all cases where the device was successfully released.

Discussion: The Nit-Occlud® is deployed through a delivery system with an outer diameter of 4 Fr or 5 Fr, which makes this solution particularly attractive in patients where vascular access is challenging or unfeasible due to the small size of their vessels.

Conclusions: The Nit-Occlud® PDA appears a feasible and effective occlusion system in small patients weighing <3 kg.