Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blood test for heart disease diagnosis in dogs using cardiac troponin
By Spratt, D P et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2005·Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cardiac troponin I: evaluation I of a biomarker for the diagnosis of heart disease in the dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with heart problems had their blood tested for a protein called cardiac troponin I (cTnI) to see if it could help diagnose heart disease. Healthy dogs and those with congenital heart disease had low or no cTnI levels, while dogs with acquired heart conditions like mitral valve disease, dilated cardiomyopathy, and fluid around the heart showed high levels of this protein. The results suggest that measuring cTnI could help vets diagnose heart disease and assess how severe the heart failure is.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To assess the value of measuring blood levels of the myocardial protein cardiac troponin I (cTnl) in the diagnosis of congenital and acquired heart disease in the dog and in the evaluation of the severity of heart failure. METHODS: Serum samples obtained from healthy dogs (n = 26) and from dogs diagnosed with a variety of congenital and acquired heart conditions (n = 35) were assayed for cTnl concentration using an automated immunoassay method. Results were also analysed according to the degree of heart failure as assessed using the International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council's scheme. RESULTS: Healthy dogs had very low or undetectable blood cTnl levels, as did dogs with congenital heart disease. However, cTnl levels were significantly elevated in dogs with acquired mitral valve disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and pericardial effusion. Blood cTnl levels also varied with severity of heart failure. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Measurement of blood cTnl levels may be a useful aid in the diagnosis of dogs with suspected heart disease and in indicating the severity of heart failure.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15789809/