Diagnosis of PDA in Dogs
Published: January 01, 2005
James Buchanan; Mike Pierdon; Laurel Frydenborg; Jay Hreiz

The German shepherd dog with a PDA, below, has been shaved and marked to show the locations of the fifth rib (panel B), the mitral valve area (panel C), and the aortic/pulmonic valve area (panel D).

Location of the fifth rib
   
Location of the mitral valve region
Location of the aorto-pulmonary region
   

Auscultatory findings in dogs with PDA

These are the phonocardiogram (top tracing) and electrocardiogram (bottom tracing) from the mitral valve area of a dog with PDA. The phonocardiogram shows the first and second heart sounds, which are normal in this case. No murmur is recorded in this location. Dogs with a larger patent ductus arteriosus may have a systolic or continuous murmur in the mitral area.

  

These are the phonocardiogram (top tracing) and electrocardiogram (bottom tracing) from the aortic/ pulmonic valve area of a dog with PDA. The phonocardiogram is abnormal and shows the continuous "machinery murmur" characteristic of animals with PDA.

Radiographic findings in dogs with PDA 

Below is a lateral radiograph from a 6-year-old female dog with PDA. It shows enlargement of the left heart and increased pulmonary vascular markings. The right apical artery and right apical vein are particularly prominent and both exceed the smallest diameter of the 4th rib indicating overcirculation in the lungs.

Panel A. Lateral radiograph of a dog with PDA
Panel B. Yellow shading highlights the large left ventricular silhouette
   
Panel C. The shaded area highlights the increased pulmonary vascular markings
Panel D. The yellow line highlights the cranial lobar artery
   
Panel E. The yellow line highlights the cranial lobar vein
Panel F. The yellow line highlights the 4th rib.
   

The dorsoventral radiograph, below, shows a ductal-aortic aneurysm manifesting as a leftward bulge in the descending aorta, which is a characteristic sign of a moderate-to-large PDA.

Panel A. Dorsoventral view of a dog with a large PDA.
Panel B. The arrows highlight the "ductus bump" (ductal aneurysm).


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