15/06/2025
Today, 15th June 2025, we performed a heart procedure that was nothing short of a roller coaster ride and we’re thrilled to share that it ended with success!
Our patient was a small dog born with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA). Our initial plan was to close the PDA using a Vet-PDA occluder, inserted through the jugular vein in the neck. Everything was set… until the occluder unexpectedly dropped through the PDA. That was the first twist in our day.
Just as we were regaining control, the fluoroscopy machine started to malfunction. In a procedure that relies heavily on imaging, this is equivalent to flying blind in a storm. We knew the clock was ticking.
With seconds to spare before complete imaging failure, I managed to thread the catheter through the PDA one last time. From there, we had to think fast. I switched gears to use a different device—an Amplatzer Vascular Plug 4 (AVP-4)—a tiny, advanced plug that is less dependent on imaging and easier to handle when you’re flying by feel rather than sight.
At this point, I sensed the advancement of the device within the catheter by “touch”. My sonographer became my second pair of eyes, using transesophageal and transthoracic ultrasound to help us guide the device into the perfect position.
If the catheter had slipped out again, we were prepared to stop the procedure entirely, as repeating the process without imaging would have been incredibly risky. But with teamwork, caution, and focus, we navigated every twist.
Once we were confident in the device’s position, we released it and it worked beautifully. Blood flow through the PDA was completely shut off, and “our heart could finally rest.”
What made this case even more special is that it was the first time this specific technique—using an AVP-4 via the jugular vein—was performed and reported in Malaysia in a dog this small. Globally, it’s still a rarely documented approach in veterinary medicine.
A Personal Reflection:
As a veterinary cardiologist, this case reminded me just how important teamwork, quick thinking, and mental readiness are during advanced procedures. We always go in with a plan, but we also prepare for what to do when the plan goes sideways. And when that happens, having a capable, calm, and focused team makes all the difference.
From the outside, it may seem like “just another surgery,” but behind every successful intervention is a team giving their all, not just in skill, but in heart.
This was one of those days I’ll never forget. And I’m so grateful the outcome was a happy one for both our little patient and their family.