Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs and treatment results for dogs with lung-related high blood
By Johnson, Lynelle R. & Stern, Joshua A.·Published in Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine·2020·University of California, Davis Department of Medicine and Epidemiology, , Davis, California, United States·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Clinical features and outcome in 25 dogs with respiratory-associated pulmonary hypertension treated with sildenafil
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 25 dogs with breathing problems and pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs) were treated with sildenafil, a medication that can help improve their condition. Most of these dogs were small breeds, averaging 12.4 years old, and they commonly showed symptoms like fainting, coughing, and difficulty breathing. After one month of treatment, many dogs showed improvement in their quality of life and heart function, although 32% of the dogs either died or were euthanized within that time. Some dogs did survive longer, with a few living up to five years after starting treatment.
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Abstract
Abstract Background Pulmonary hypertension (PH) can develop secondary to many common cardiopulmonary diseases, and the use of sildenafil has improved care of affected dogs. Objective To evaluate response to sildenafil in dogs with respiratory-associated PH. Animals Twenty-five dogs with PH. Methods Prospective clinical trial. Doppler echocardiography identified dogs with moderate to severe PH, and additional tests were performed to detect underlying diseases. A 17-point quality of life (QOL) questionnaire was completed, and sildenafil was prescribed, along with other medications deemed necessary for the management of clinically diagnosed respiratory diseases. After 30 days, dogs returned to the hospital for repeat echocardiogram and QOL survey. Results The median age was 12.4 years, and most dogs were small breed dogs (median weight, 6.5 kg). Syncope (64%), cough (56%), and respiratory difficulty (32%) were the most common presenting complaints. Respiratory diseases associated with PH included tracheobronchomalacia, pulmonary fibrosis, inflammatory airway disease, and brachycephalic syndrome, with multiple diseases in some dogs. Eight of 25 dogs (32%) died or were euthanized within 1 month. In the remaining dogs, tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient (83.0 ± 17.4 mm Hg before, 55.4 ± 17.4 mm Hg after) and QOL scores were significantly improved after 1 month of sildenafil. Fifty percent mortality was reached 6 months after study entry, with 4 dogs alive 5 years after diagnosis. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Sildenafil responsiveness is variable in dogs with respiratory-associated PH, but improved QOL was demonstrated in dogs surviving >1 month, and long-term survival was noted in some cases.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15679