# Pulmonary Artery Banding in a Cat with Atrioventricular Canal Defect Type A with Concurrent Muscular Septal Defect

## TL;DR

A cat with a complex heart defect underwent a surgical procedure called pulmonary artery banding, which significantly improved its health and quality of life.

## Contribution

This case report demonstrates the successful use of pulmonary artery banding in a cat with an incomplete atrioventricular canal defect.

## Key findings

- The cat showed marked improvement in breathing and resolution of fluid buildup after surgery.
- Post-surgery echocardiography showed reduced right heart chamber size and stable pulmonary artery flow.
- The cat remained healthy for 13 months without needing medication.

## Abstract

A young, long-haired cat was diagnosed with a complex congenital heart defect, causing difficulty in breathing and fluid accumulation in the abdomen. Despite medical treatment, the cat’s condition worsened, leading to severe heart failure. A surgical procedure called pulmonary artery banding was performed to reduce excessive blood flow to the lungs and relieve strain on the heart. During the operation, a band was placed around the pulmonary artery to control blood pressure and balance circulation between the heart chambers. Following the surgery, the cat showed significant improvement. Its breathing normalized, fluid buildup resolved, and no further medication was required. The cat remained in excellent health for twelve months after surgery, able to run and jump without difficulty. This case highlights the potential of pulmonary artery banding as a valuable surgical option for managing congenital heart defects in cats, offering them a better quality of life and improved long-term survival.

Background: This case report describes the surgical management of pulmonary artery banding (PAB) in a cat diagnosed with an incomplete atrioventricular canal (AVC) defect and a concurrent muscular septal defect. It highlights the use of PAB as a palliative treatment to manage this rare congenital heart condition in companion animals. Case Presentation: A 9-month-old European long-haired male cat presented with clinical signs of heart failure. Pharmacological treatment with sildenafil and furosemide failed to stabilize the patient’s condition. Echocardiographic assessment revealed an incomplete AVC type A and a muscular septal defect. Pulmonary artery banding was performed to reduce pulmonary blood flow and alleviate heart failure symptoms. Pre- and postoperative echocardiographic evaluations were conducted to monitor structural and functional changes in the heart. Post-surgical outcomes included a marked reduction in the size of the right atrium and ventricle and a stable pulmonary artery flow velocity of 3.8 m/s. The cat has remained in very good condition without the need for pharmacotherapy for 13 months post-surgery and is still alive at the time of reporting. Conclusions: PAB proved effective as a palliative intervention for managing an incomplete AVC in this feline patient. The successful outcome suggests that PAB may offer significant long-term benefits and improved survival in selected cases of incomplete AVCs in cats.