Abstract
Radiograph, arteriograph, echocardiogram, electrocardiogram and cardiopulmonary values were obtained in dogs with dirofilariasis before and after heartworm removal with a flexible alligator forceps. After heartworm removal, the following results were obtained: 1) Dilations of the pulmonary artery, the right ventricle and the right atrium reduced on radiograph and ultrasonic echocardiogram; 2) tortuousness of the pulmonary artery was reduced, and pruning of the peripheral arteries improved on arteriogram: 3) electrocardiographic findings indicated the correction of right axis deviation in mean electric axis in frontal plane and decreases of voltages; 4) pulmonary arterial and right ventricular pressures fell (improvement of pulmonary hypertension); 5) right cardiac output declreased; 6) heart rate tended to decrease; and 7) total pulmonary arterial resistance decreased. These results indicated that pulmonary arterial resistance and blood flow volume might be reduced, thus decreasing the burden on the heart. It was considered that not only lesions of the pulmonary arteries but also heartworms themselves in the pulmonary artery play an important role in affecting right heart hemodynamics.
