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Swieton et al: Outcome of 21 dogs treated for the portocaval subtype of extrahepatic portosystemic shunt
Veterinary Surgery 2, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

Study population: 21 dogs with portocaval extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (EHPSS)
Surgical approach: 67% (14/21) underwent ameroid constrictor placement
Perioperative complications: 4 dogs (19%), including seizures (n = 2), vomiting, and abdominal effusion
Perioperative mortality: 1 dog (5%)
Postoperative clinical outcome:

  • Good to excellent outcome: 81% (17/21)
  • Median follow-up: 6 months (range 3–43)

Persistence of shunting (CT or US): 56% (9/16 evaluated)
Dogs with persistent shunting: 67% still had good to excellent clinical outcome
Congenital portocaval shunts may have more favorable outcomes than previously reported

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← Articles

Swieton et al: Outcome of 21 dogs treated for the portocaval subtype of extrahepatic portosystemic shunt
Veterinary Surgery 2, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

Study population: 21 dogs with portocaval extrahepatic portosystemic shunts (EHPSS)
Surgical approach: 67% (14/21) underwent ameroid constrictor placement
Perioperative complications: 4 dogs (19%), including seizures (n = 2), vomiting, and abdominal effusion
Perioperative mortality: 1 dog (5%)
Postoperative clinical outcome:

  • Good to excellent outcome: 81% (17/21)
  • Median follow-up: 6 months (range 3–43)

Persistence of shunting (CT or US): 56% (9/16 evaluated)
Dogs with persistent shunting: 67% still had good to excellent clinical outcome
Congenital portocaval shunts may have more favorable outcomes than previously reported

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Multiple Choice Questions on this study

In Swieton 2025 et al., on portocaval shunts, how many dogs were confirmed to have persistent shunting on imaging follow-up?

A. 3 of 16
B. 5 of 16
C. 7 of 16
D. 9 of 16
E. 12 of 16

Answer: 9 of 16

Explanation: 56% (9 of 16 dogs evaluated) had persistent shunting on follow-up CT or ultrasound imaging.
In Swieton 2025 et al., on portocaval shunts, which postoperative complication occurred most frequently?

A. Vomiting
B. Abdominal effusion
C. Portal hypertension
D. Seizures
E. Hepatic encephalopathy

Answer: Seizures

Explanation: Seizures occurred in 2 of the 4 dogs with postoperative complications, making them the most common complication reported.
In Swieton 2025 et al., on portocaval shunts, what percentage of dogs underwent ameroid constrictor placement?

A. 38%
B. 48%
C. 57%
D. 67%
E. 76%

Answer: 67%

Explanation: 67% of dogs were treated using ameroid constrictor placement to attenuate the shunt.
In Swieton 2025 et al., on portocaval shunts, what was the perioperative mortality rate?

A. 0%
B. 5%
C. 10%
D. 14%
E. 19%

Answer: 5%

Explanation: Only one dog died in the perioperative period, resulting in a 5% mortality rate.
In Swieton 2025 et al., on portocaval shunts, what proportion of dogs achieved a good to excellent long-term clinical outcome?

A. 52%
B. 67%
C. 76%
D. 81%
E. 90%

Answer: 81%

Explanation: 81% of dogs had good to excellent long-term outcomes after surgical treatment, despite shunt persistence in some.

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