Information
for Referring Veterinarians
To
assist you in counseling your clients to determine if mitral valve
surgery is
appropriate
for their dog,we have established a list of suggested guidelines.
Dogs
that may be considered good candidates for mitral valve surgery at Texas
A&M University
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There should be no significant concurrent disease such as end stage renal disease,heartworm disease,hepatic failure,metastatic neoplasia,septicemia,etc.
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The patient should have a confirmed diagnosis (echocardiogram)of chronic degenerative valve disease (CVD)without presence of concurrent severe congenital disease such as sub-aortic stenosis,pulmonic stenosis and ventricular septal defects.
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There must be a history of cardiogenic pulmonary edema (congestive heart failure)with a radiographic response to diuretic therapy and the dog must require maintenance diuretic therapy.
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Indirect systolic blood pressure measurement by Doppler or Dynamap should be greater than 100 mmHg when the animal is awake and has been stabilized.
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Left ventricular systolic function should be preserved.Systolic function is considered to be within normal limits in dogs with CVD if the internal dimension of the left ventricle during systole (LVIDs)is within normal limits for that patient.This measurement is part of a routine 2-D guided m-mode echocardiogram. Normal limits are based on the weight of the patient and are available in many veterinary publications. The following formula can be used as a guide 0.69 BW (kg)0.41 =mean normal LVIDs (cm).
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The dog must not require continued inotropic support (except digoxin).
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Presurgical screening evaluations that must be performed,at your hospital,at a referral veterinary hospital or at
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Complete blood count including platelet count • Biochemical profile
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Canine blood typing
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Thoracic radiographs
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Indirect blood pressure • Abdominal ultrasound
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Echocardiogram
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Dogs with some forms of congenital heart disease, other acquired cardiac disease and dogs with CVD that
