Australia’s first V-Clamp procedure has set a new standard in treating advanced myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in Australian canine patients. Performed by Veterinary Cardiologists Australia (VCA) at Veterinary Specialists Services (VSS) in Brisbane, this procedure introduces a minimally invasive alternative to open-heart surgery. The V-Clamp, derived from the MitraClip used in human medicine, is an 8mm device that clamps the mitral valve leaflets together, enhancing heart function without stopping the heart.
Sunshine, a 14-year-old Shibu Inu, was the first patient to undergo the procedure in Australia. Diagnosed with severe MMVD and showing symptoms such as dyspnea and coughing, Sunshine’s condition was unmanageable with traditional therapies. The V-Clamp provided a viable solution, and the procedure was successful.
Using a transcatheter approach, the V-Clamp was guided via fluoroscopy and 2-D imaging to its precise location. Post-surgery, Sunshine exhibited significant improvement, with reduced mitral regurgitation and normalised cardiac dimensions. This success story highlights the potential of the V-Clamp to transform the treatment of MMVD in dogs.
The V-Clamp procedure is backed by extensive training and international collaboration. VCA’s team, led by Drs Gavaghan, Meyers, and Lam, collaborated with human and veterinary cardiologists to achieve this milestone. The procedure is now poised to become a standard treatment option, offering new hope for dogs with MMVD.
