Morphologic study of patent ductus arteriosus based on computed tomography data in 25 dogs

Introduction: The objective of this study is to analyze the morphology and measurement dimensions of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) based on computed tomography images.

Methods: The present study retrospectively evaluated computed tomography angiography data from 25 client-owned dogs diagnosed with PDA. PDA was reconstructed based on the central axis and the minimum diameter, ampulla diameter, angle, ampulla cross-section area, and length values were measured at specific measurement sites. Additionally, the minimum diameter ratio, ampulla diameter ratio, ampulla cross-section diameter, and ampulla cross-section diameter/ampulla diameter ratio values were calculated based on direct measurement values.

Results and discussion: The morphology of PDA was distributed as follows: 48% Type IIA, 20% Type IIB, and 32% Type III. A significant correlation was observed between the minimal diameter sagittal and transverse and the ampulla diameter sagittal and transverse, body weight, and angle (descending aorta to PDA). A significant association was observed between ampulla diameter (in both the sagittal and transverse planes) and body weight. The minimal diameter ratio did not demonstrate a significant correlation with the ampulla diameter, body weight, angle and length. However, the ampulla diameter ratio exhibited a significant correlation with the length of the PDA and the angle (descending aorta to PDA). The minimal diameter ratio displayed results that were more closely approximated by a circle, whereas the ampulla diameter ratio showed results that were relatively oval. The ampulla cross-section diameter values differed by an average of 14% from the previously used reference length, ampulla diameter sagittal.

Conclusion: The computed tomography image demonstrated the distinctive cross-sectional configuration of the PDA, which could potentially facilitate advanced pre-procedural planning or the creation of novel occluding devices in the future.