Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Weak femoral artery pulse linked to mitral valve prolapse in dogs
By Tarnow, I et al.Ā·Published in Research in veterinary scienceĀ·2004Ā·Department of Anatomy and PhysiologyĀ·View original on PubMed ā
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Original publication title: Determinants of weak femoral artery pulse in dogs with mitral valve prolapse.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 247 dogs, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, were examined for weak femoral artery pulses, which can indicate blood flow issues. The study found that factors like obesity, heart rate, age, and the severity of mitral valve prolapse (a heart condition) negatively affected pulse strength. Interestingly, weak pulses were linked to reduced artery size rather than blockages or low platelet counts. While 26% of the dogs had pulses weaker than normal, this condition did not show clear clinical signs. The findings suggest that weak pulses reflect localized blood flow reductions rather than broader health issues.
People also search for: dog weak pulse mitral valve prolapse Ā· Cavalier King Charles Spaniel heart problems Ā· dog blood flow issues treatment
Abstract
In three substudies encompassing 247 dogs from two breeds predisposed to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD), femoral artery pulse strength was palpated and related to potential explanatory factors, including quantitative echocardiographic measures of MMVD, aortic and femoral artery diameter and wall thickness and blood pressure. In addition, in 109 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (of which 61 were included in the three substudies mentioned above), the relation between femoral artery pulse strength and presence of thrombocytopenia was investigated. In 26% of the dogs, a pulse </=50% of normal strength was detected; six dogs (2.0%) had an absent pulse unilaterally or bilaterally. Mitral valve prolapse severity, degree of obesity, heart rate and age all influenced femoral artery pulse strength negatively. Weak femoral artery pulses were not related to clinical signs or to decreased pulse pressure or stroke volume. A weak femoral artery pulse reflected reduced artery diameter and/or distension rather than occlusion. In conclusion, weak femoral artery pulses in dogs with MMVD seem to be associated with regional/local reductions in blood flow and not arteriosclerosis or platelet count.
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Search related cases āOriginal publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14672853/