Brockman et al: Improvement in short‐term outcome over time, in a single center embarking on a canine mitral valve repair program using a structured multidisciplinary approach
Veterinary Surgery 4, 2025

🔍 Key Findings

• Overall survival to discharge: 107 of 132 dogs (81%)
• Quartile improvement: Survival increased steadily from 67% in Q1 to 91% in Q4
  • Q1: 22/33 survived
  • Q2: 27/33
  • Q3: 28/33
  • Q4: 30/33
• Statistical significance: Higher operative rank significantly associated with improved survival (p < .05)
• Median cross clamp time (XCT): 73 min (range 40–165), but increased again in Q4
• Fatalities (n=25) were often due to:
  • Failure to wean from CPB
  • Intracranial vascular events (stroke)
  • Intrathoracic hemorrhage
• Breed representation: CKCS (23.5%), Chihuahua (22%), Crossbreeds (21%)
• Stages of MMVD: Stage C (67%), Stage D (27%), Stage B2 (6%)
• Emphasis on deliberate multidisciplinary teamwork for outcome improvement
• Highlights importance of technical and non-technical team skills, procedural standardization, and consistent personnel