Featured Patient:
Meet "Barley Duke" Frank

"Barley Duke" is a 5 year old Miniature Schnauzer who recently came to see Dr. Tacy Rupp, our Board Certified Cardiologist. He was diagnosed with severe pulmonic stenosis, a congenital heart defect which had resulted in a narrowing of the valve between his right heart and his lungs.

As a result, Barley Duke's lungs were not receiving adequate blood flow, and his heart muscle had thickened. These conditions presented several potential problems, including congestive heart failure and a reduced lifespan.

Fortunately, Dr. Rupp was able to offer a solution. A balloon could be surgically inserted into the heart, placed across the narrowed pulmonic valve and inflated, resulting in a widening of the passage. This would increase the blood flow and reduce the strain on the heart.

On the day of the procedure, Barley Duke was anesthetized and placed on a special x-ray table with a built-in fluoroscopy unit. This would enable Dr. Rupp to view a "real-time" x-ray image and help her to guide the balloon to the narrowed pulmonic valve. Once in place, Dr. Rupp inflated the balloon with a sterile saline solution. This stretched the pulmonic valve, thus opening it up to a more normal size.

After the procedure, Dr. Rupp took several readings of Barley Dukeās heart pressure and found that the pressure gradient through the pulmonic valve had decreased by 79%!

The next day, Dr. Rupp checked Barley Dukeās heart function again and found a significant improvement! Barley Duke was able to go home later that day.

This surgical procedure has allowed Barley Duke to have a great chance at a full, normal lifespan with no restrictions. After his sutures are removed he can go back to normal activity and play at the dog park to his heartās content!

Dr. Tacy Rupp, DVM, MS, Diplomate ACVIM, Cardiology

11/02 "Summer" Van Osdale