Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Intravenous Vepoloxamer improves heart function in dogs
By Sabbah, Hani N et al.·Published in Cardiovascular drugs and therapy·2020·Department of Medicine, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Effects of Intravenous Infusion of Vepoloxamer on Left Ventricular Function in Dogs with Advanced Heart Failure.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with advanced heart failure received an intravenous treatment called Vepoloxamer to see if it could improve their heart function. The dogs showed a significant increase in heart performance shortly after the treatment and continued to improve over the following weeks. Those that received Vepoloxamer experienced better heart function compared to those that received a saline solution. This suggests that Vepoloxamer could be a helpful option for dogs suffering from heart failure, especially when given in multiple treatments over time.
People also search for: dog heart failure treatment · Vepoloxamer for dogs · improving dog heart function · heart medication for dogs · advanced heart disease in dogs
Abstract
PURPOSE: Vepoloxamer (VEPO), a rheologic agent, repairs damaged cell membranes, thus inhibiting unregulated Caentry into cardiomyocytes. This study examined the effects of i.v. infusion of VEPO on LV function in dogs with coronary microembolization-induced heart failure (HF) (LV ejection fraction, EF ~ 30%). METHODS: Thirty-five HF dogs were studied. Study 1: 21 of 35 dogs were randomized to 2-h infusion of VEPO at dose of 450 mg/kg (n = 7) or VEPO at 225 mg/kg (n = 7) or normal saline (control, n = 7). Hemodynamics were measured at 2 h, 24 h, 1 week, and 2 weeks after infusion. Study 2: 14 HF dogs were randomized to 2-h infusions of VEPO (450 mg/kg, n = 7) or normal saline (control, n = 7). Each dog received 2 infusions of VEPO or saline (pulsed therapy) 3 weeks apart and hemodynamics measured at 24 h, and 1, 2, and 3 weeks after each infusion. In both studies, the change between pre-infusion measures and measures at other time points (treatment effect, Δ) was calculated. RESULTS: Study 1: compared to pre-infusion, high dose VEPO increased LVEF by 11 ± 2% at 2 h, 8 ± 2% at 24 h (p < 0.05), 8 ± 2% at 1 week (p < 0.05), and 4 ± 2% at 2 weeks. LV EF also increased with low-dose VEPO but not with saline. Study 2: VEPO but not saline significantly increased LVEF by 6.0 ± 0.7% at 2 h (p < 0.05); 7.0 ± 0.7%% at 1 week (p < 0.05); 1.0 ± 0.6% at 3 weeks; 6.0 ± 1.3% at 4 weeks (p < 0.05); and 5.9 ± 1.3% at 6 weeks (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous VEPO improves LV function for at least 1 week after infusion. The benefits can be extended with pulsed VEPO therapy. The results support development of VEPO for treating patients with acute on chronic HF.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32146638/