Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Blood test to detect hidden heart disease in cats
By Fox, P R et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2011·Animal Medical Center, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Multicenter evaluation of plasma N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-pro BNP) as a biochemical screening test for asymptomatic (occult) cardiomyopathy in cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A study found that cats with a hidden heart condition called occult cardiomyopathy (OCM) had higher levels of a specific protein, NT-proBNP, in their blood compared to healthy cats. This protein can help vets identify cats that might have heart issues even if they aren't showing symptoms. The researchers determined that a level above 46 pmol/L is a good indicator of OCM, with very high accuracy. This test could help catch heart problems early in cats, allowing for better management and treatment options.
People also search for: cat heart disease symptoms · NT-proBNP test for cats · how to tell if my cat has heart problems
Abstract
BACKGROUND: B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations reliably distinguish between cardiac and respiratory causes of dyspnea, but its utility to detect asymptomatic cats with occult cardiomyopathy (OCM) is unresolved. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Determine whether plasma N terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentration can discriminate asymptomatic cats with OCM from normal cats, and whether NT-proBNP concentration correlates with clinical, biochemical, and echocardiographic parameters. ANIMALS: One hundred and fourteen normal, healthy cats; 113 OCM cats. METHODS: Prospective, multicenter, case-controlled study. NT-proBNP was prospectively measured and cardiac status was determined from history, physical examination, and M-mode/2D/Doppler echocardiography. Optimal cut-off values were derived using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: NT-proBNP was higher (median, interquartile range [25th and 75th percentiles]) in (1) OCM (186 pmol/L; 79, 478 pmol/L) versus normal (24 pmol/L; 24, 32 pmol/L) (P < .001); and (2) hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (396 pmol/L; 205, 685 pmol/L) versus hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (112 pmol/L; 48, 318 pmol/L) (P < .001). In OCM, NT-proBNP correlated (1) positively with LVPWd (ρ = 0.23; P = .01), LA/Ao ratio (ρ = 0.31; P < .001), LVs (ρ = 0.33; P < .001), and troponin-I (ρ = 0.64; P < .001), and (2) negatively with %FS (ρ = -0.27; P = .004). Area under ROC curve was 0.92; >46 pmol/L cut-off distinguished normal from OCM (91.2% specificity, 85.8% sensitivity); >99 pmol/L cut-off was 100% specific, 70.8% sensitive. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Plasma NT-proBNP concentration reliably discriminated normal from OCM cats, and was associated with several echocardiographic markers of disease severity. Further studies are needed to assess test performance in unselected, general feline populations, and evaluate relationships between NT-proBNP concentrations and disease progression.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21985136/