Incidence of postoperative implant-related bacterial endocarditis in dogs that underwent trans-catheter embolization of a patent ductus arteriosus without intra- and post-procedural prophylactic antibiotics

Abstract

A B S T R A C TIntra-and post-procedural prophylactic antibiotics are routinely administered by veterinary cardiologists to dogs that undergo trans-catheter embolization of a patent ductus arteriosus for prevention of implant-related infective endocarditis. The hypothesis of our study was that primary antibiotic prophylaxis is not necessary to prevent bacterial endocarditis. In this retrospective case series 54 client-owned dogs that underwent trans-catheter occlusion of a patent ductus arteriosus in a single tertiary veterinary referral center between 2004 and 2016 were evaluated. Follow-up information was gained by telephone interviews with the owners or the referring veterinarians, or from the digital archives of the authors' clinic. Inclusion criteria were that at least one metal implant (a coil or an Amplatz duct occluder) had to be delivered in the ductal ampulla, no local or systemic antibiotics were given on the day of the intervention or the week thereafter, at least 3 months of postoperative follow-up information was available, and the author was performing the procedure either as the primary or as the supervising cardiology specialist. None of the 54 dogs developed infective endocarditis in the postoperative 3 months. A study describing a similar population reports 2 of the included 47 dogs having developed infective endocarditis in the postoperative period despite the administration of intra-and post-procedural prophylactic antibiotics. We conclude that intra-and post-procedural antibiotic prophylaxis is not justified in dogs that undergo trans-catheter closure of a patent ductus arteriosus. Proper surgical technique and the use of new sterile catheters and implants are sufficient to prevent infective endocarditis in these dogs.

Low profile vascular plug for transarterial occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus in small dogs

“…Postoperative therapy consisted of meloxicam administered PO for 1 to 4 days at the discretion of the attending anesthesiologist. No heparin or prophylactic antibiotics were administered in the perioperative period 19 …”

“…No heparin or prophylactic antibiotics were administered in the perioperative period. 19 The dogs were placed in right lateral recumbency on the fluoroscopy table and the area of the right femoral artery was clipped and prepared for surgery. A marking catheter (Marker, Infiniti Medical, Huddersfield, UK) was placed in the esophagus.…”

Focused Cardiac Ultrasound Examination as a Tool for Diagnosis of Infective Endocarditis and Myocarditis in Dogs and Cats

“…In human medicine, microbiological and histopathological examination of the removed valve is typically performed after a surgery. In animals, such an examination may only be performed after death [ 11 , 12 ]. In antemortem diagnosis, echocardiography is very useful in both human and veterinary medicine.…”