Published in Scientific Works. Series C. Veterinary Medicine, Vol. LXV, Issue 1
Written by Alice RADULESCU, Beatrice CRISTESCU, Pamela HARRIGAN, Lucian IONITA
Canine pulmonary hypertension is a common complication secondary to Heartworm disease. Pulmonary artery occlusion with adult worms, secondary endarteritis, and thromboembolism lead to increased pulmonary pressure and right ventricular pressure with severe consequences on the structure and function of the right heart. Although new advanced diagnostic techniques and new drugs are useful in diagnosis and management, pulmonary hypertension is often an irreversible and progressive disorder. This case report documents the resolution of pulmonary hypertension and subsequent cardiac changes in a dog diagnosed with severe pulmonary hypertension associated with Heartworm disease by 2D, M-mode, and Doppler echocardiography. Comparative echocardiographic assessments performed before and after treatment revealed a rapid reduction in pulmonary pressure and a significant improvement in echocardiographic parameters. Follow-up echocardiographic assessments confirmed the resolution of cardiac changes more than four years after confirmation of the diagnosis.
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