Transvenous occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus in a domestic chicken (Gallus gallus)

A 2.5-year-old intact female Marans domestic chicken was presented for lethargy, open beak breathing, and hyporexia. Echocardiography noted left atrial and left ventricular enlargement and computed tomography angiography revealed a type III left-sided patent ductus arteriosus. Retrograde catheterization of the ductus was performed via percutaneous access of the right external jugular vein, and transvenous ductal occlusion was achieved using an 8-mm Amplatzer™ Vascular Plug 4. Transient bradycardia and hypotension occurred during right heart catheterization, which were successfully treated with atropine and epinephrine. A two-week follow-up postoperative cardiac computed tomography scan confirmed appropriate placement of the occluder within the ductus, and echocardiography demonstrated reduced left heart size. The chicken showed an improvement in clinical signs and remains apparently well six months after the intervention. This report describes the computed tomographic findings of a patent ductus arteriosus in an avian species, minimally invasive transvenous closure of this congenital anomaly with a low-profile occlusion device, and the associated challenges and considerations specific to cardiac intervention in an avian patient.