Persistent Right Aortic Arch in a Dog

RESUMO

Background:     Vascular ring anomalies were congenital malformation of the great vessels, caused by defects in embryogenesis of the aortic arches. In dogs the most common type is persistent right aortic arch (PRAA). The PRAA occurs when the fourth right aortic arch persists instead of left to form the aorta. This malformation causes extraluminal compression of the esophagus up to the base of the heart. The constriction leads to esophageal dilatation secondary, located cranial to the base heart. The food, which can not progress beyond the narrowing, is regurgitated intermittently. Thus, the main clinical sign of disease is regurgitation when the patient starts eating solid foods. Respiratory clinical signs (mainly pneumonia by aspiration) may occur and can complicate the disease. The diagnosis is suspected by history (puppies at weaning) and physical examination. The diagnosis is confirmed by the esophagogram, where the image is characteristic (esophagic dilatation cranial base of the heart). The treatment of the affection is surgical, with transection and ligature of the vascular ring, viewed during thoracotomy by fourth intercostal space. The postoperative management which consists mainly of liquid diet and/or pasty is important for total recovery of the animal. In some cases, the animal must receive a special diet for life to prevent regurgitation. However at long term, mo