Hybrid technique for closing an Atrial septal defect using an Amplatz^® canine duct occluder in a small breed dog

BACKGROUND: Atrial septal defect (ASD) is one of the congenital cardiac malformations seen in dogs and is treated by open-heart surgery or transcatheter closure. However, surgical correction is invasive and has limitations in small dogs, and the size of the delivery system for transcatheter closure restricts its use to large dogs. CASE REPORT: A 17-month-old Norfolk Terrier with ASD was treated using a disk occluder. Transatrial deployment of the device was performed under left 5th intercostal thoracotomy. Transoesophageal echocardiography was used to confirm secure occluder deployment prior to device release. The defect was closed safely and postoperative recovery was quick and uneventful. CONCLUSION: At 10 months after occlusion, the patient remained well, without any signs of heart dysfunction.