Interventional Cardiology Procedures

Pacemaker Implantation

Pacemaker implantation is used to treat pets whose hearts beat too slowly because of an abnormal electrical rhythm or underlying heart disease. During the procedure, a small pacing wire is guided through a vein into the heart and connected to a pacemaker placed beneath the skin. The device helps maintain a safe, reliable heart rate and can improve symptoms such as weakness, fainting, exercise intolerance, and low energy. Most pets recover quickly and can return to an excellent quality of life with routine pacemaker monitoring.

Performed at:

Richmond, VA — Dr. Ryan Pfeiffer

West Palm Beach, FL — Dr. Paulo Rivera-Otero

Hunt Valley, MD — Dr. Sarah Holdt and Dr. Richard Cober

Knightdale, NC — Dr. Dan Hogan

Wheat Ridge, CO — Dr. Amy Dixon Jimenez and Dr. Ashley Sharpe

Minimally Invasive PDA Occlusion

A patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is a congenital heart defect in which an abnormal blood vessel allows blood to bypass the lungs, placing additional strain on the heart. During minimally invasive PDA occlusion, a small device is guided through a blood vessel in the leg and into the heart, where it is positioned to permanently close the abnormal vessel. Most pets go home within a day or two and can go on to live full, normal lives.

Performed at:

Richmond, VA — Dr. Ryan Pfeiffer

West Palm Beach, FL — Dr. Paulo Rivera-Otero

Hunt Valley, MD — Dr. Sarah Holdt and Dr. Richard Cober

Knightdale, NC — Dr. Dan Hogan

Wheat Ridge, CO — Dr. Amy Dixon Jimenez and Dr. Ashley Sharpe

While minimally invasive occlusions of a PDA is performed by CVCA teams, in the less common circumstance that surgical ligation is recommended we will work with local veterinary surgeons to facilitate a surgical treatment

Left Atrial Decompression (LAD)

Left atrial decompression is an advanced, minimally invasive procedure for select dogs with severe heart disease and congestive heart failure that remains difficult to control with medication. Using specialized catheters and heart imaging, a small opening is created between the heart's upper chambers. This allows pressure to be relieved from the left atrium, helping reduce fluid buildup in the lungs. The goal is to improve comfort, reduce episodes of congestive heart failure, and potentially decrease the need for repeated hospitalizations in carefully selected patients.

Performed at:

West Palm Beach, FL — Dr. Paulo Rivera-Otero

Balloon Valvuloplasty

Balloon valvuloplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat certain congenital heart valve abnormalities, most commonly pulmonic stenosis. In pets with this condition, a narrowed valve makes it difficult for blood to leave the heart normally. During the procedure, a catheter with a specialized balloon is guided through a blood vessel and across the narrowed valve. The balloon is briefly inflated to widen the opening, reduce pressure on the heart, and improve blood flow. Many pets experience improved heart function, exercise tolerance, and long-term quality of life.

Performed at:

Richmond, VA — Dr. Ryan Pfeiffer

West Palm Beach, FL — Dr. Paulo Rivera-Otero

Hunt Valley, MD — Dr. Sarah Holdt and Dr. Richard Cober

Knightdale, NC — Dr. Dan Hogan

Wheat Ridge, CO — Dr. Amy Dixon Jimenez and Dr. Ashley Sharpe

Pulmonary Valve Stenting

Pulmonary valve stenting is a minimally invasive procedure used in select cases to address abnormalities involving the pulmonary valve. The procedure uses specialized catheter-based techniques to place a stent within the pulmonary valve or outflow tract to improve blood flow.

Performed at:

Hunt Valley, MD — Dr. Sarah Holdt and Dr. Richard Cober

Knightdale, NC — Dr. Dan Hogan

CVCA has performed a limited number of pulmonary valve stenting procedures and evaluates cases individually to determine whether the procedure is appropriate.

Additional Interventional Procedures

Select CVCA doctors also perform additional catheter-based procedures, including atrial septal defect closure, management of portosystemic shunts, angioplasty for caval stenosis, and vascular occlusion for arteriovenous malformations.

Your local CVCA team can help determine whether one of these procedures may be appropriate for your pet and connect you with the nearest facility offering the recommended treatment.