Transfemoral vein approach for balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty in a 1.2- kg dog

A 10-month-old, 1.2- kg, unspayed female Maltese dog presented with the chief complaint of a heart murmur. Echocardiography revealed a transpulmonary velocity of 5.28 m/s (estimated pressure gradient: 112 mmHg) and severe pulmonary valve stenosis with an estimated pulmonary valve annulus diameter of 7.2 mm. Given the dog's small size, a balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty via the femoral vein was considered. The pulmonary valve annulus was dilated thrice using a 10-mm balloon (balloon-to-annulus ratio: 1.39). After the balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty, right ventricular systolic pressure decreased from 125 to 78 mmHg. The interventional procedure was completed without serious complications. As of postoperative day 149, the maximum transpulmonary velocity decreased to 2.43 m/s (estimated pressure gradient: 24 mmHg), recurrence of pulmonary valve stenosis was not observed, and the patient was doing well clinically. In conclusion, an approach performed via the femoral vein in this 1.2-kg dog resulted in a successful procedure without significant complications.