Michael Miller, MS, VMD, ABVP
Risa Roland, DVM, ACVIM (Cardiology)

Your pet may be referred for a cardiac consultation if your veterinarian suspects an underlying heart condition is present or a heart condition has been diagnosed and further information about the disease is needed. In addition, a cardiology consultation may help evaluate the heart prior to treatment of other diseases in the body that may affect the heart. Heart disease may be suspected based on your pet's symptoms (coughing, rapid or difficult breathing, fainting) or abnormal physical examination findings (heart murmur or abnormal heart rhythm). Heart disease may lead to heart failure and early evaluation can be very important.

The cardiology service offers expertise in heart disease evaluation and diagnosis, heart failure and arrhythmia management and interventional cardiology. We specialize in acquired cardiac diseases (such as chronic valvular disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy), as well as cardiac manifestations of systemic disease. We are proficient in the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart disease, including catheter-based treatment of patent ductus arteriosus and pulmonic stenosis as an alternative to surgery. We also offer interventional management of acquired diseases such as tracheal collapse and portosystemic shunts. Most importantly, we provide a love for the field, thorough and compassionate patient care and open communication with our referring veterinarians. We're available for consultation with all in-house veterinary services and we are happy to consult with referring veterinarians over the phone about cardiac cases!

What To Expect at Your Appointment

• Cardiac history evaluation
• Complete cardiac physical examination
• Thorough explanation of diagnostic test results
• Explanation of disease and prognosis
• Explanation of drug therapy and side effects

Our Diagnostic Capabilities

Our diagnostic capabilities include:

Echocardiography  (cardiac ultrasound) Electrocardiography (ECG) Radiographic Interpretation Blood pressure  management Holter monitoring Diagnostic fluoroscopy Diagnostic angiography

Patent ductus arteriosus  embolization Balloon valvuloplasty Pacemaker implantation Heartworm retrieval Arterio-venous fistula embolization Endomyocardial biopsy Catheter retrieval

Download a handout illustrating MVA's Interventional Cardiovascular Service.

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