Balloon Dilation in a Dog with Severe Aortic Valvular Stenosis

Abstract

A 4-month-old intact female Bernese Mountain Dog was presented for evaluation of a grade IV/VI left systolic heart murmur. An echocardiography revealed fused aortic valve leaflets, causing an instantaneous pressure gradient of 115.3 mmHg across the stenosed aortic valves. Intervention with a high-pressure balloon dilation catheter was pursued : this significantly decreased the pressure gradient to 53.8 mmHg and improved valve motion. Aortic regurgitation was unchanged before and after balloon valvuloplasty. Long-term management and follow-up and management will be necessary for the evaluation of prognosis.