• Journal of Veterinary Science
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.46.1-46.12
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• 2023

Background: Heartworm infection in dogs is caused by Dirofilaria immitis and common in shelter animals and outdoors dogs. Caval syndrome can develop with severe infection and physical heartworm removal is essential with heartworm burdens. In this study, we used an improved transvenous heartworm extraction brush, which was expected to cause less cardiovascular damage and allow easier manipulation. Objectives: This study aims to evaluate efficacy of this improved transvenous heartworm extraction brush. Methods: The brush was designed to improve upon the limitations of the previous brush-type devices. The brush was made of a polyvinyl chloride tube and threads of polyamides or polyglyconates. Metal material was inserted at the front tip for easy visualization under fluoroscopy. The eight dogs diagnosed with caval syndrome with large numbers of heartworms and pulmonary hypertension were used in this study. The removal procedure began with the dissection of the subcutaneous tissue around the right jugular vein. The device was inserted through the jugular vein. After insertion, the tube was rotated to catch the heartworms and extracted with the heartworms hanging on the threads. The procedure was repeated several times. Lastly, jugular vein and skin sutures were made. Adulticidal therapy was administered after heartworm removal. Results: The mean number of removed heartworms was 10.5 ± 4.24 and mean number of remaining heartworms was 0.63 ± 1.06. Total procedure time was 72.63 ± 51.36. Except for three cases, heartworms were not detected on ultrasonography after the procedure. No procedure-related side effects were observed within the 1- to 2-mon. Conclusions: An improved transvenous heartworm extraction brush is efficient for heartworm removal in dogs with caval syndrome.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.269-272
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• 2018

A 4-year-old, 6.1 kg intact female dachshund was referred to the Animal Medical Center with acute right hind limb lameness. Radiographs revealed fractures of iliac body and tibia in the right limb. In addition, the dog exhibited tricuspid valve regurgitation and moderate heartworm infection in the right ventricle and main pulmonary artery on echocardiogram. To obtain stable anesthetic conditions for operation, an adult heartworm removal procedure was previously followed by repair of the complex fractures. All surgical procedures were done without complication and with stable patient conditions. At a one month postoperative follow-up, the dog was doing well with normal ambulation and no tricuspid valve regurgitation as well.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.36-40
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• 2013

Caval syndrome is a life threatening condition caused by heavy worm burden in right cardiac chambers including right atrium, right ventricle, and vena cava and results in mechanical interference in tricuspid valvular excursion and blood flow to lower pulmonary arteries. A mechanical worm removal is the choice of option for treating this condition in dogs. In this study, we developed a new mechanical worm removal method using modified extraction brushes for treating dogs with caval syndrome. With this newly developed method, we successfully removed heartworms in two dogs with caval syndrome. Although the number of cases applied was small, authors found this method can be a good alternative retrieval method for mechanical worm removal in dogs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.412-416
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• 2014

A 7-year-old intact male Pitbull terrier dog was presented with complaints of marked abdominal distension and severe exercise intolerance. Diagnostic studies found a right-sided cardiomegaly with marked dilation of pulmonary arteries, diffuse interstitial pulmonary infiltration and heavy worm burden in the right atrium and ventricle. Color and spectral Doppler echocardiography also revealed tricuspid and pulmonic regurgitation indicating severe pulmonary hypertension. The 104 heartworms were removed by interventional extraction using a loop snare (Snare, Boston Scientific, USA) through external jugular vein. After heartworm removals, the clinical condition of this dog was remarkably improved. To author's best knowledge, this is the first case of interventional heartworm extraction using a loop snare in Korea.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.309-313
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• 2005

This study was performed to assess the efficacy of surgical treatment with flexible alligator forceps (FAF) on heartworm infected dogs. Twenty dogs (10 males and 10 females) with heartworm infection, age $5.3\pm3.0\;(mean{\pm}S.D.)$ years and weight $9.3\pm6.5(mean{\pm}S.D.)kg$ were treated with FAF. Adult heartworms were removed by fluoroguided technique with FAF under inhalation anesthesia with isoflurane. For evaluation of the efficacy, removal rate and surgical time were measured, and removal sites were found. Antigen ELISA kit test and autopsy were performed to examine remained adult heartworms. Removal rate of total heartworms was $91.4\%$ including 15 complete retrieval cases and surgical time was $30.0\pm7.6(mean{\pm}S.E.)$ minutes. Heartworms were removed from the right ventricle, main pulmonary artery, and right and left pulmonary artery. Surgical treatment with FAF is an effective method with high removal rate, short surgical time, and various removal sites and it could be considered for the removal of adult heartworms in a dog.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Veterinary Clinics Conference
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• 2006.11a
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• pp.51-51
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• 2006