Short‐ and long‐term outcome and quality of life assessment in dogs undergoing transvenous coil embolization of congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate short- and long-term outcomes and health-related quality of life (Hr-QoL) in dogs with congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunts (cIHPSS) treated using percutaneous transcatheter embolization (PTCE). STUDY DESIGN: Single center retrospective and prospective study. ANIMALS: Sixty-one client-owned dogs. METHODS: Medical records were reviewed, and owners completed validated Hr-QoL and congenital portosystemic shunt scoring (Hr-CPSS) questionnaires. Hr-QoL scores ranged from 0 (worst) to 100 (best), and Hr-CPSS from 0 (best) to 100 (worst). Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier analysis. Medical or dietary management at final follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: Median follow-up time was 769 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 297-1865). Median survival time was 1496 days. At last follow-up, 33 of 59 dogs remained on medical management and/or a specialized diet. Median Hr-CPSS significantly decreased from prediagnosis (25 [IQR: 18-51.3]) to post-PTCE (5 [IQR: 3-11]; p < .001), but not between post-medical and post-PTCE (p = .68). Median Hr-QoL scores improved post-PTCE (100 [IQR: 80-100]) compared to prediagnosis (35 [IQR: 10-50], p < .0001), and post-medical (75 [IQR: 40-90], p = .005) as well as between prediagnosis and post-medical (p = .038). One-, two-, and five-year survival rates were 83%, 66%, and 54%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Treatment of cIHPSS with PTCE in dogs was associated with a good long-term survival and significant improvement in QoL and clinical signs. IMPACT: The combination of PTCE and targeted medical management provides an effective minimally invasive treatment option for dogs with cIHPSS, supporting improved longevity and quality of life.