Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hormone levels in Dobermans with and without dilated cardiomyopathy
By O'Sullivan, M Lynne et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2007·Department of Clinical Studies, Canada·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Plasma big endothelin-1, atrial natriuretic peptide, aldosterone, and norepinephrine concentrations in normal Doberman Pinschers and Doberman Pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of Doberman Pinschers, some healthy and some with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), were studied to see how certain hormones in their blood related to their heart health. The dogs with early signs of DCM had higher levels of a hormone called ANP compared to healthy dogs, while those with advanced DCM had elevated levels of several hormones, indicating worse heart function. The study found that rising levels of two specific hormones, big ET-1 and norepinephrine, were linked to shorter survival times in these dogs. This information could help veterinarians identify heart issues earlier and better predict outcomes for affected dogs.
People also search for: Doberman Pinscher heart problems · dilated cardiomyopathy symptoms in dogs · dog heart disease treatment
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) results in progressive myocardial and circulatory dysfunction causing activation of a number of neurohormonal systems, including the endothelin (ET) system, which is only beginning to be described in clinical veterinary medicine. Measurement of these circulating neurohormones possesses potential utility in the diagnosis, staging, and assessment of prognosis in cardiac disease. HYPOTHESIS: We hypothesized that plasma big ET-1, norepinephrine (NE), aldosterone, and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations in normal Dobermans would differ from those in Dobermans with DCM, and that concentrations of these hormones would be associated with time to congestive heart failure (CHF) or death. ANIMALS: Thirty client-owned Dobermans (10 each of normal, occult DCM, and overt DCM) were included in the study. METHODS: Dogs underwent an echocardiogram, ECG, and blood sample collection. Neurohormones were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography (NE) or commercial assays. RESULTS: Dogs with occult DCM had significantly higher ANP concentrations compared with normal dogs (least squares means [95% confidence interval, CI]: occult female 53.7 pg/mL [40.2-71.7] versus normal female 31.6 pg/mL [24.8-40.3], P = .026; occult male 86.1 pg/mL [64.7-115] versus normal male 12.1 pg/mL [5.1-28.7], P = .011). Dogs with overt DCM had significantly higher concentrations of all neurohormones compared with the normal group. Furthermore, increasing big ET-1 (risk ratio [RR] 2.7, CI 1.3-8.6, P = .01) and NE concentrations (RR 3.9, CI 1.1-18.1, P = .03) over 1 month were associated with a shorter survival time. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: High ANP concentrations can identify dogs with advanced occult DCM. Increasing big ET-1 or NE concentrations over time can be useful predictors of poor prognosis.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17338155/