Surgeries

Cardiac Pacemaker Implantation

Is my patient a suitable candidate?

Pacemaker therapy is indicated for patients with severe bradyarrhythmias who experience fainting (syncope), weakness, heart failure secondary to bradycardia, or who are at risk of sudden death.

What postoperative care is required after surgery?

A bandage is applied and must be kept clean and dry; the bandage should be changed once a week for 4 weeks. Pets should take the antibiotics and pain relievers prescribed at the time of discharge. Stitches are removed 10 days after surgery (neck skin incision). Pets with pacemakers should wear a harness instead of a collar. Pacemaker checkups should be performed at our clinic.

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Why choose pacemaker treatment?

- Restores a normal heart rhythm

- Immediately improves energy levels and physical activity

- A long-term solution for pets with heart conduction disorders

- Minimal downtime and recovery with few complications

Risks/Complications

Complications may include device displacement, the formation of a fluidfilled sac around the pacemaker (seroma), infection, or blood clots. During postoperative follow-up visits, the pacemaker’s function is evaluated, and minor adjustments can be made as needed at any scheduled visit. This is done while the patient is awake using Bluetooth technology.

Occlusion of a Persistent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) Using an Occlusion Device

What is a PDA?

It is a congenital heart defect in which a blood vessel (the ductus arteriosus) remains open after birth. This causes volume and pressure overload in the heart, which, if left untreated, can lead to congestive heart failure.

How does it work?

A small occluder device is placed through a catheter into the blood vessel (PCA/PDA) to permanently seal it. This minimally invasive procedure eliminates abnormal blood flow and prevents congestive heart failure and secondary problems related to this defect.

Why choose occluder device surgery for PCA/PDA?

It is a life-saving surgery with a high success rate

- Minimally invasive (small incision in the skin on the neck or leg, quick recovery) - Increases life expectancy to near-normal levels (if detected early)

- Reduces the risk of developing congestive heart failure

Risks:

Possible complications include: bleeding (when the surgery is performed via the femoral artery), device displacement, and infection, although complications are rare.

Is my pet a good candidate for this surgery?

PDA/PCA closure is ideal for puppies and young dogs with a properly diagnosed patent ductus arteriosus, preferably before signs of heart failure develop. Even older pets can benefit from this surgical procedure. If the condition is not diagnosed or treated, there is a possibility that lifelong medication will be necessary, but surgery provides enormous benefits for these patients.

Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair (TEER) V-Clamp Surgery

A revolutionary alternative to open-heart surgery, available at only a few veterinary centers worldwide.

We are the first team in Latin America to complete training for this surgery.

What is it used for?

For patients with severe mitral valve disease

How does it work?

This cutting-edge procedure repairs a leaky mitral valve by joining the valve leaflets with a clamping device via a catheter, which reduces regurgitation and improves cardiac function. This procedure does not require open-heart surgery or a heart-lung bypass.

Pulmonary Stenosis

Balloon valvuloplasty and/or stent angioplasty

What is it used for?

It is a congenital condition in which the heart valve has not formed properly. The narrowing (stenosis) of the valve restricts blood flow to the lungs and causes thickening (hypertrophy) of the right ventricle.

How does it work?

A catheter is inserted into the affected valve, and a balloon (with or without a stent) is inflated to open the valve and improve blood flow, thereby reducing the workload on the heart.

Why choose TEER/V-Clamp surgery?

- It restores or improves valve function without the need for open-heart surgery

- An effective alternative for pets that cannot undergo open-heart surgery.

- Minimally invasive, with a faster recovery time

- Immediate improvement in cardiac function

Risks:

Complications may include arrhythmias, valve dysfunction, infection, or device-related complications; however, the procedure has a high success rate with minimal adverse effects.

Is my pet a suitable candidate?

TEER/V-Clamp surgery is recommended for patients with severe mitral valve disease (stage B2 or advanced stage C according to the ACVIM classification). It is suitable for small dogs weighing between 3 and 15 kg and those with favorable mitral valve anatomy.

Why choose balloon valvuloplasty and stent angioplasty?

- It is a minimally invasive procedure

- It immediately improves blood flow

- It can prevent the development of heart failure

Risks:

Although complications are rare, they may include: vascular bleeding, device displacement (if a stent is used), allergic reactions to the contrast dye, and infection at the incision site (neck or leg skin). A small number of patients may experience restenosis, and a second procedure may be necessary in the future.

Is my pet a suitable candidate?

Balloon valvuloplasty and stent angioplasty are ideal for pets diagnosed with pulmonary stenosis, especially if the stenosis is causing clinical signs or if cardiac function is severely impaired.

Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE)

What is it used for?

It is a specialized ultrasound technique that allows us to visualize the heart clearly and without obstruction from inside the esophagus.

How does it work?

It is performed under anesthesia; a probe is inserted through the esophagus to obtain high-resolution images of the cardiac structures.

Why choose a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) study?

This technique provides high-quality cardiac images without interference from the lungs. It is essential for evaluating complex cardiac conditions and guiding interventions (TEER/V-Clamp, PDA/PCA). It allows for advanced 3D/4D imaging and real-time assessments. Recovery is quick, and pets are typically discharged the same day.

Risks:

Complications may include mild esophagitis, temporary loss of appetite, anesthesia-related complications, and, in rare cases, esophageal perforation.

Is my pet a suitable candidate?

It is indicated for patients requiring more detailed cardiac evaluations or is used before or during a surgical procedure (TEER/V-Clamp, PDA/PCA, pulmonary stenosis).