Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery for Dogs in Winter Haven, FL: Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair Surgery

TEER uses a small device called a V-Clamp to connect the two flaps of your dog’s mitral valve (the anterior and posterior leaflets). This helps the valve close more effectively, preventing the backward flow of blood, which is the hallmark of mitral regurgitation. The procedure is performed through a small incision in the chest (about 2 inches), while the heart is still beating. This eliminates the need for open-heart surgery, reducing recovery time and the risk of complications.

• Minimally Invasive: Unlike traditional open-heart surgery, TEER requires only a small incision and doesn’t involve stopping the heart. This leads to a faster recovery and less postoperative pain for your pet.
• Proven Success: TEER has been performed in over 100,000 human patients worldwide and has recently been adapted for veterinary use, with promising results in dogs.
• Quicker Recovery: Most dogs are able to walk the day after surgery and are discharged within two days, making it a less stressful experience for both the pet and the owner.

Canine patients who are the best candidates for TEER include:

• Dogs in stages B2, B2 Borderline Stage C, or early heart failure.
• Dogs who are less than 15 years old.
• Dogs who weigh between 9 and 33 pounds.
• Dogs with severe degenerative mitral regurgitation (MR) with appropriate valve anatomy for edge-to-edge repair.

Eligibility is confirmed through a TEER Candidacy Exam, which involves detailed imaging and assessments by our veterinary cardiology team. A final determination is made by the device manufacturer and the surgical team just before the procedure.

• Pre-surgery: Patients will undergo several tests to determine candidacy, including echocardiograms and other evaluations as needed.
• Post-surgery: Dogs typically recover quickly. Most patients are walking within 24 hours and can return home after one day of observation. Follow-up care includes regular checkups every three months for one year, with medication adjustments as needed.

Non-Heart Failure Patients:

• TEER candidacy exam: After the surgery is recommended, patients undergo a detailed evaluation, including a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE), to ensure that it is safe to proceed with anesthesia and surgery.
• Pre-surgical tests: Once candidacy is confirmed, patients undergo further testing to ensure they are ready for surgery.

Heart Failure Patients:

• Stabilization: The first step is stabilizing the heart failure condition through medication and monitoring. Once stabilized, the dog will follow the same steps as non-heart failure patients.
• Final evaluation: A final TEE will be performed on the day of surgery to confirm candidacy.

TEER is performed via a transapical cardiac approach through a small incision. A specialized device called the V-Clamp is used to grasp and clip the valve leaflets together under the guidance of fluoroscopy and echocardiography.

Even the best-behaved pets cannot stay perfectly still for an MRI, necessitating general anesthesia. Human MRI scans are done in lower resolution than those for pets. The increased detail needed due to the smaller size of pets requires more scanning time.

Imaging is completed by one of our advanced modalities technicians trained in CT and MRI. Ultrasound is performed by a certified sonographer or veterinarian trained in ultrasonography, based on availability. Sedation or anesthesia is monitored by a dedicated technician certified in anesthesia under close supervision of the staff veterinarian.