Case Background
Recently, the HongYu and XinYu V-Clamp Team received a special patient—Cheese, an 8-year-old female Maltese from Hangzhou, China. Cheese was diagnosed with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) Stage B2 one year ago. However, her condition had progressed to Stage C, and she had begun experiencing heart failure.
A detailed examination revealed that Cheese’s mitral valve had a short posterior leaflet and a relatively large anteroposterior (AP) dimension. Severe prolapse was observed in zones 1–3, with an extensive regurgitation area. Specific measurements included:
· Posterior leaflet: 5–6 mm (short)
Clinical Presentation
· Anterior leaflet: 9 mm
· AP dimension: 16 mm
These anatomical challenges posed a high risk of detachment following clamp placement, making the procedure particularly complex.
Procedure & Outcome
Risk Communication & Surgical Decision
Dr. Jing and Ding thoroughly explained the surgical risks to Cheese’s owner, who made the courageous decision to proceed with the operation, placing full trust in the expertise of the HongYu and XinYu V-Clamp Team.
Surgical Approach & Outcome
The team opted for a clamping strategy targeting the A2P2 region with a slight bias toward zone 1, using a Type III device:
Follow-up & Insights
· Anterior leaflet clamp length: 9 mm
· Posterior leaflet clamp length: 6 mm
· The clamp extended securely to the valve annulus
The procedure was a success!
Discussion
Following seven days of intensive post-operative care at XinYu Hospital, Cheese was discharged and returned home happily with her owner. Two weeks after the surgery, the owner reported that Cheese was doing exceptionally well. Wishing dear Cheese a long, healthy, and happy life with her loving family!
About Shanghai Xinyu Animal Hospital
Closing Notes
Founded in 2019, Shanghai Xinyu Animal (Cardiac Specialty) Hospital is a flagship cardiac specialty hospital under Shanghai Hongyu Medical. As the first veterinary heart hospital in China to perform minimally invasive mitral valve surgery, Xinyu provides specialized cardiac treatments and advanced services for pets nationwide. The hospital also offers training and technical support for global veterinary hospitals and medical centers, drawing on a skilled veterinary and post-care team and state-of-the-art medical equipment. Services include minimally invasive mitral valve regurgitation surgery and hands-on device training for domestic and international experts. By the end of 2023, Xinyu had provided V-Clamp technology training to over 50 hospitals worldwide.
About Shanghai Hongyu Medical
Established in 2019, Shanghai Hongyu Medical Technology Co., Ltd. is a global leader in veterinary cardiology, focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases in pets. With its core product, the V-Clamp for minimally invasive mitral valve disease treatment in dogs, Hongyu Medical is expanding into diagnostics, treatment, and monitoring for various cardiac conditions, offering a comprehensive solution for pet heart disease. In addition to developing, manufacturing, and selling veterinary cardiac devices, Hongyu Medical promotes collaboration and knowledge-sharing among veterinarians worldwide by providing training on heart disease diagnosis, treatment, and care for animals.
