Surgical treatment of a persistent right aortic arch in an adult cat

Surgical treatment of a persistent right aortic arch in an adult cat A three-year-old, neutered female British Shorthair cat was referred due to intermittent regurgitation and weight loss. Thoracic radiographs following contrast medium administration corroborated the suspected diagnosis of a vascular ring anomaly. Surgical exploration through a left fourth intercostal thoracotomy confirmed the existence of a persistent right aortic arch (PRAA). Despite the absence of an apparent patent ductus arteriosus, the ligamentum arteriosum was ligated and then incised. Any remaining constricting peri-oesophageal fibrous tissue was carefully transected. During the subsequent 18 months after surgery, the cat showed no evidence of regurgitation and gained weight.