Long-term results of surgical correction of persistent right aortic arch in dogs: 25 cases (1980-1995)
Muldoon, M.M.; Birchard, S.J.; Ellison, G.W.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 210(12): 1761-1763
1997
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 9187725 Document Number: 482013
Medical records of 25 dogs examined at the Ohio State University or the University of Florida that underwent surgical correction of persistent right aortic arch (PRAA) were reviewed. Surgical correction consisted of ligation and division of the ligamentum arteriosum through a left fourth intercostal thoracotomy. Long-term (>6 months after surgery) follow-up information was obtained by means of a telephone survey of owners (22 dogs) and by means of re-evaluations by a veterinarian (3). Median age at the time of surgical treatment was 12 weeks. Short-term (2 to 4 weeks after surgery) follow-up information was available for 14 dogs. Nine no longer regurgitated after eating, and 5 regurgitated infrequently. Follow-up oesophagography (median time after surgery, 4 months) was performed in 13 dogs and revealed persistence of megaoesophagus in all 13. At the time of long-term follow-up, 23 (92%) dogs no longer regurgitated after eating, and the remaining 2 (8%) had regurgitated less than once per week. It is suggested that surgical correction of PRAA can result in complete alleviation of clinical signs in most dogs.