Advanced multimodality imaging of an anomalous vessel between the ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery in a dog

A 1-year-old male German shorthaired pointer was referred for evaluation of tachypnea and hemoptysis. A grade VI/VI left basilar continuous murmur was ausculted. Multimodality imaging consisting of thoracic radiographs, transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, fluoroscopy-guided selective angiography, computed tomography angiogram (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA), was performed on this patient. The defect included a left-to-right shunting anomalous vessel between the ascending aorta and main pulmonary artery, along with a dissecting aneurysm of the main and right pulmonary artery. An MRA post-processing technique (PC VIPR) was used to allow for high resolution angiographic images and further assessment of the patient's hemodynamics prior to surgical correction. This case report describes the clinical course of a canine patient with a rare form of congenital cardiac disease, and the multiple imaging modalities that were used to aid in diagnosis and treatment.