The cutting-edge cardiology team at VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital is one of the first to complete life-saving heart surgery for dogs.
When the cardiology team completed a new valve repair surgery in February 2023, VCA West Los Angeles Animal Hospital became one of only six U.S. locations—and the first private veterinary practice—to perform the life-saving surgery. A medical milestone in its own right, it was just the latest advancement for a team with a remarkable innovation track record.
Addressing Dogs' Most Critical Heart Condition
About 10% of dogs will develop some form of heart disease during their lifetime, and the most common in dogs is mitral valve disease. Smaller breeds are particularly at risk. In most dogs, the large valve on the left side of the heart begins to leak as they age. For some, the leakage gets so severe that fluid builds up in the lungs and they can't breathe. This condition, known as congestive heart failure, is generally fatal. And historically, veterinarians treated it with medications alone because that's what was available.
In 2018, Dr. Justin Allen, a board-certified cardiology specialist at VCA West LA, pioneered a veterinary surgical treatment for congestive heart failure known as left atrial decompression. The surgical team creates a hole inside the heart that relieves the pressure on the left side so the pooled blood goes to the other chamber of the heart rather than into the lungs. That ground-breaking approach has for years helped veterinarians treat heart failure more effectively, extending the quality and quantity of life for pets. However, a new advancement was needed to address the underlying leak in the heart valve. And now it has arrived.
This new veterinary procedure is based on a similar, very successful innovation in human medicine. In veterinary medicine, a small clip device is implanted in the valve to help it close—all while the patient’s heart continues to beat. The device is inserted through the heart using a long, thin tube called a catheter. The procedure requires only a small incision between the ribs.
The clip used in human surgery is far too large for dogs and very expensive. However, a Chinese company recently developed a new device called a V clamp that's smaller and technically simpler. It's the first device practical for dogs' heart valve repair.
The valve repair surgery was first performed on dogs by Dr. Chris Orton, the Helen D. Van Dyke Chair for Interventional Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery Professor at Colorado State University. Dr. Orton trained the team at VCA West LA; this team is the first private practice to offer the procedure. The VCA team completed the procedure for the first time in February 2023, and they're one of only a handful of U.S. teams trained to offer this life-saving surgery.
"Mitral valve disease is by far the heart condition we see most often in dogs, and until recently, we could offer only interventions without addressing the valve itself," says VCA’s Dr. Allen. "With that approach, pet owners can expect dogs to live nine to 12 additional months. With the V Clamp procedure, those pets may live two, three, four—maybe even five years. That's really a victory."
"The opportunity for this kind of innovation is one reason I pursued cardiology," says veterinary specialist Dr. Kevin Phipps, part of the team at VCA West LA and a board-certified cardiologist. "I remember having conversations about the possibility of valve repairs. The potential to help dogs with this approach is enormous, and that's why this advancement is so exciting."
“I’ve been practicing veterinary medicine for more than 30 years,” says Dr. Kirstie Barrett, another of the board-certified veterinary specialists on the West LA cardiology team. “I’ve seen many dogs pass away from congestive heart failure. In some cases, I’ve treated families’ pets over decades. We develop meaningful bonds, and it’s important to me that we offer their four-legged loved ones the best care possible. I never imagined that we’d be able to offer this kind of innovative work. It’s so exciting and meaningful.”
A Team Approach & Innovation Culture
These innovative procedures are the result of a deliberate, focused strategy to invest in and build world-class medical teams. While most veterinary specialty hospitals would be lucky to have a single board-certified cardiologist, VCA West LA has three.
According to Dr. Maureen Mueller, a veterinary specialist in surgery, the valve repair surgery is extremely complex and requires world-class skill to complete.
“That’s because in humans, this surgery is performed while the heart is stopped, but in dogs, it's done while the heart is beating,” she explains. “And since smaller dogs like Cavalier King Charles are prone to mitrovalve issues, we’re working with much smaller hearts.”
A successful valve repair surgery requires an entire team of skilled specialists, usually a surgeon and two cardiologists.
“This isn’t a procedure you do by yourself,” says Dr. Allen. “The complexity of the surgery requires more people to help manage, and we all have different areas of expertise. For example, Dr. Barrett does advanced imaging as we do the procedure, so we can see the heart’s structures in three dimensions as we go—making it much safer. As we work together, we each do a job, using our own specialized knowledge, experience, and skills. I know I can focus on my part, and my colleagues are doing theirs.”
“This level of medical innovation requires commitment from every layer of the organization,” says Dr. Phipps. “This is a unique set up. The whole hospital team gets along well. There’s support to try new things and a top-notch staff. We have high-end surgical support teams with advanced training and access to specialized technology.”
That investment in equipment and people puts the team in a unique position to do this important work, says hospital administrator Felipe Mendez. “It takes a strong, trusting relationship to make the leap,” he says. “The initial investment is significant, but it’s the right thing to do and seeing it play out is exciting. The momentum gives us more momentum. Our team members stay because they’re excited about the work we’re doing and the things they can learn.”
Delivering the Future of Veterinary Medicine Today
“As veterinarians, when we see a problem, we want to come up with a solution. Mitral valve disease is a huge health problem for pets. We’ve been searching for better ways to help. That’s why we keep trying new things,” says Dr. Allen.
“Ultimately, we became veterinarians because we want to help animals—and you can’t do that without helping pet owners,” Dr. Barrett says. “It’s so rewarding to give people and their pets more time together.”
VCA’s advanced care teams include highly skilled veterinary specialists in multiple disciplines who are leaders in their field. No matter the situation, you can rest assured that your pet is getting the best care possible. Find a VCA hospital near you.
