Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How increasing heart meds affects blood markers in dogs with stable
By Hezzell, Melanie J et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2018·Department of Clinical Studies, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effect of prespecified therapy escalation on plasma NT-proBNP concentrations in dogs with stable congestive heart failure due to myxomatous mitral valve disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 26 dogs with stable congestive heart failure (CHF) caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease were treated using a specific plan that increased their diuretic or pimobendan medication based on blood tests. The results showed that the dogs whose treatment was adjusted according to the plan had a significant drop in a marker called NT-proBNP, which indicates heart strain. This suggests that following a structured treatment approach can effectively improve heart health in dogs with CHF. The dogs in the study did not experience significant changes in kidney function during the treatment period.
People also search for: dog congestive heart failure treatment · NT-proBNP levels in dogs · pimobendan for dog heart disease
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Treatment targeted to achieve reduction in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) improves outcomes in human congestive heart failure (CHF) patients. HYPOTHESIS: A pre-specified therapeutic algorithm that increased diuretic or pimobendan usage will reduce plasma NT-proBNP concentrations in dogs with CHF secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). ANIMALS: Twenty-six dogs with clinically stable CHF secondary to MMVD. METHODS: Prospective, controlled before-and-after study. Dogs were examined up to 3 times over 21 days. Treatment was prescribed based on NT-proBNP as follows: <1500 pmol/L at baseline, no treatment adjustment at any point during the study (group 1); ≥1500 pmol/L and creatinine ≤3.0 mg/dL at baseline or SC visits, treatment escalated according to the algorithm (group 2); ≥1500 pmol/L at baseline, no treatment adjustment (group 3). RESULTS: N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide decreased significantly in group 2 (mean change = -1736 pmol/L (95% CI, -804 to -2668), P < .001) but not in groups 1 or 3 (623 pmol/L [-631 to 1877 pmol/L], P = .14 and 685 pmol/L [-304 to 1068 pmol/L], P = .46, respectively). Serum BUN and creatinine did not change significantly between visit 0 and visit 2 in group 1 (median = 23 mg/dL [range 13-32] versus 19 mg/dL [12-38], P = .72 and 1.15 mg/dL [0.70-1.40] versus 0.95 mg/dL [0.70-1.10], P = .10, respectively) or group 2 (28 mg/dL [18-87] versus 43.5 mg/dL [21-160], P = .092 and 1.10 mg/dL [0.90-2.50] versus 1.55 mg/dL [0.90-3.30], P = .062, respectively). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Use of this treatment escalation algorithm allows effective targeting of treatment for CHF in dogs against an objective criterion.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30216549/