Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Pimobendan may improve survival in cats with dilated cardiomyopathy
By Hambrook, Lydia E & Bennett, Peter F·Published in Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery·2012·Melbourne Veterinary Specialist Centre, Glen Waverley, Victoria, Australia, Australia·View original on Crossref →
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Original publication title: Effect of pimobendan on the clinical outcome and survival of cats with non-taurine responsive dilated cardiomyopathy
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 32 cats with a serious heart condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) that didn't respond to taurine treatment were studied to see if a medication called pimobendan could help. Half of the cats received pimobendan along with standard treatments, while the other half did not. The cats that received pimobendan lived much longer, with a median survival time of 49 days compared to just 12 days for those that didn't. Importantly, no side effects from the pimobendan were observed, suggesting it could be a beneficial option for these cats.
People also search for: cat heart disease treatment · pimobendan for cats · dilated cardiomyopathy in cats · cat heart medication side effects
Abstract
This retrospective study was designed to assess the effect of pimobendan on the median survival time (MST) of cats with non-taurine responsive dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Thirty-two client-owned cats with a left ventricular internal dimension at end systole (LVIDs) >14 mm, a fractional shortening (FS) <28% and a lack of response to taurine therapy were included over a 9-year period (2001–2010). These cats were divided into pimobendan (n=16) and non-pimobendan (n=16) treatment groups. All cats received standard treatment with frusemide, taurine and benazepril or enalapril. Nine cats in the non-pimobendan group also received digoxin. The MST of the pimobendan group (49 days; range 1 to >502 days) was four times that of the non-pimobendan group (12 days; 1 to 244 days). The difference in survival between the two groups was statistically significant ( P = 0.048). Hypothermia and FS <20% were associated with a poor prognosis. No adverse effects to pimobendan were noted.
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Search related cases →Original publication on Crossref: https://doi.org/10.1177/1098612x11429645