Page 7 - Clinical Connections - Summer 2024

Heart surgery
stretching of all chords and a small fissure in
the parietal valve leaflet.
Three artificial chords (Gore-Tex sutures)
were placed between the papillary muscles
and the edge of the septal valve leaflets (CV
6), and two artificial chords were placed in
the P2 valve leaflet (CV 6). The fissure was
closed with a single suture of 6-0 prolene. In
addition, we performed a mitral purse-string
annuloplasty with pledgeted CV5 Gore-Tex
suture to bring the orifice where the valve sits
back down to a normal size.
Amber progressed very well after surgery
and echocardiography confirmed that
the repair was a success. She was
discharged from hospital on November
6th.
A month after surgery Amber came in
Members of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Service for post mitral valve repair evaluation. Her
energy levels had returned and her appetite
Technology mitral valve disease was confirmed. The had improved. Echocardiography confirmed
In addition to human expertise, technology possibility of being a candidate for mitral
is critical to what we do. We are fortunate to valve repair was discussed. Amber with Dan Brockman
have a brand new cardiopulmonary bypass Amber's heart disease was stage C,
console (heart-lung machine), which was meaning her heart was enlarged secondary
purchased through donations to the RVC to her valvular disease and that resulted in
Animal Care Trust that were restricted for her developing congestive heart failure. Her
use in the development of heart surgery. valve was severely affected and there was
This is the machine that circulates the blood evidence of ruptured chords, which may
once the heart is bypassed and we have it have been responsible for a collapse weeks
open. before.
The ACT also provided funds to purchase Amber returned to the RVC at the
surgical loupes for Matteo. These are an end of October for mitral valve repair,
essential piece of equipment but they are under cardiopulmonary bypass. A left 5th
extremely expensive so we are very grateful intercostal thoracotomy was used to access
to the RVC’s Animal Care Trust and donors the heart and a small approach to the left
supporting our work. cervical region to isolate the carotid artery
for cannulation was made. The mitral valve
Amber's story was accessed via a left atriotomy under
Last September Amber, a 10-year-old conditions of cardiopulmonary bypass.
Yorkshire terrier cross, came for evaluation Amber’s mitral valve was severely that the valve repair was stable, there was
by the Cardiology Service and myxomatous diseased with thickening to all valve edges, trivial residual mitral valve regurgitation
and no signs of clots or thrombi. The echo
Amber at RVC Small Animal Referrals measurements confirmed that Amber's heart
had returned to a normal size.
Amber was also examined at the RVC
for her three-month post mitral valve repair
evaluation and this confirmed that the repair
was stable and her heart was functioning
normally. Amber was doing extremely well,
off all medications and enjoying life to the full.

For small animal referrals, please call:
01707 666399
Email:
qmhreception@rvc.ac.uk

Summer 2024 7