Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Changes in heart biomarkers after mitral valve repair in dogs
By Furusato, S et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology·2026·Japan Veterinary Institute of Data and Science, Japan·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Longitudinal profile of N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide in dogs undergoing mitral valve repair.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 109 dogs with mitral valve disease underwent surgery to repair their heart valves. After the surgery, their levels of certain heart-related biomarkers (NT-proANP and NT-proBNP) were monitored over six months. The study found that while these biomarkers decreased over time, the changes were not consistent and could be influenced by factors like the dog's age, weight, and kidney function. This means that a single measurement of these biomarkers after surgery might not accurately reflect the dog's heart health.
People also search for: dog mitral valve repair recovery · NT-proBNP levels in dogs · heart surgery for dogs · dog heart disease symptoms · dog kidney function after surgery
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) and N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) are established biomarkers in veterinary cardiology, but their postoperative dynamics in dogs remain unclear. The aims of this study were to describe longitudinal profiles of these biomarkers and to explore associated factors in dogs undergoing mitral valve repair (MVR). ANIMALS, MATERIALS, AND METHODS: This single-center, prospective observational cohort study enrolled 109 dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease that underwent MVR. N-terminal pro-atrial natriuretic peptide, NT-proBNP, renal parameters, echocardiography, and radiography were assessed repeatedly up to six months postoperatively. Serial data were analyzed using multivariable linear mixed-effect regression. RESULTS: Cardiac reverse remodeling occurred shortly after MVR, whereas the natriuretic peptides (NPs) declined gradually with high variability. In multivariable analysis, log-NT-proANP was associated with older age (0.12 [95% confidence interval, 0.05 to 0.20] standard deviation [SD]), lower body weight (-0.11 [-0.18 to -0.03] SD), and higher serum creatinine (0.18 [0.12 to 0.23] SD). Log-N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide was associated with older age (0.11 [0.03 to 0.20] SD), lower body weight (-0.09 [-0.18 to -0.00] SD), higher serum creatinine (0.07 [0.01 to 0.14] SD), and right ventricular pressure overload (0.35 [0.12 to 0.57] SD). While single-point NP measurements did not reflect postoperative cardiac size, relative NT-proBNP changes were associated with subsequent cardiac size alterations. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Single-center design limits generalizability. Interobserver variability in imaging could introduce measurement error. CONCLUSIONS: Natriuretic peptide reductions following MVR were gradual and variable. Age, body weight, renal function, and right ventricular pressure overload may influence NP concentrations. Interpreting single postoperative NP measurements may be challenging.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41176901/