Fig. 2.

The procedure for mechanical heartworm removal. (A) After achieving surgical anesthesia, venipuncture was performed at the right jugular vein with an 18G needle. Then a guidewire was inserted into the needle and this was located at the pulmonary artery. (B) An introducer sheath was inserted to the right external jugular vein with guidance of a pre-placed guidewire, and the sheath was located at the pulmonary artery. (C) The guide catheter was then removed from the sheath. (D) The sheath was temporarily tied with simple interrupted suture.