Pulmonary embolization of vascular occlusion coils in dogs with patent ductus arteriosus

Transcatheter coil embolization of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) was performed in 206 dogs between 1994 and 2003 at Texas A&M University, of which 7 (3%) had embolization of coils to the pulmonary vasculature. Thoracic radiographs indicated that coils were located in the right pulmonary artery in 6 of the 7 dogs. Pulmonary perfusion scans were available for review in 5 dogs, and moderate perfusion defects were observed in the right caudal lung lobe in 4 dogs within 24 hours of embolization. Perfusion deficits observed initially in 2 of the dogs resolved on perfusion scans performed at 6 months and 3.1 years. One dog did not have evidence of focal perfusion defects on a perfusion scan performed 4.5 months after embolization. All pulmonary embolizations occurred during the procedure. Attempts at retrieval of coils were unsuccessful in the 2 dogs in which it was attempted. No short- or long-term clinical complications were observed in any of the dogs with pulmonary embolization. We conclude that pulmonary embolization of vascular occlusion coils is an uncommon event and is not typically associated with adverse clinical effects in dogs with PDA.