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Peer-reviewed veterinary case report

How kidney function affects heart marker NT-proBNP in dogs

By Miyagawa, Y et al.·Published in Veterinary journal (London, England : 1997)·2013·School of Veterinary Medicine, Japan·View original on PubMed

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Original publication title: Relationship between glomerular filtration rate and plasma N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations in dogs with chronic kidney disease.

Species:
dog

Plain-English summary

A dog with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may have higher levels of a substance called NT-proBNP in their blood, which can indicate heart problems. In this study, researchers found that dogs with lower kidney function (measured by glomerular filtration rate) had higher NT-proBNP levels, especially if they also had high blood pressure. This suggests that monitoring NT-proBNP can help veterinarians assess both kidney and heart health in dogs with CKD. If your dog has CKD, it’s important to discuss these findings with your vet to ensure proper management of both conditions.

People also search for: dog kidney disease symptoms · NT-proBNP levels in dogs · dog heart problems with kidney disease

Abstract

Plasma N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations increase in dogs with azotemia. However, the correlation between glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and NT-proBNP concentrations in dogs has not been evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between GFR and plasma NT-proBNP concentrations in dogs with chronic kidney disease (CKD). In this retrospective cross-sectional study, plasma creatinine (Cre) and NT-proBNP concentrations, plasma iohexol clearance (PCio) values and blood pressure were measured in dogs with CKD. Dogs were classified according to PCio values into D group (dogs with decreased PCio values), and N group (dogs with normal PCio values). Dogs were further categorized on the basis of their systolic blood pressure and PCio values into NT-D group (normotensive dogs with decreased PCio values), NT-N group (normotensive dogs with normal PCio values), HT-D group (hypertensive dogs with decreased PCio values) and HT-N group (hypertensive dogs with normal PCio values). Significant correlations were observed between plasma NT-proBNP and Cre concentrations (r=0.360, P<0.05) and PCio values (r=-0.470, P<0.01). Plasma NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly higher in the D group than in the N group (P<0.001). Plasma NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly higher in the HT-D group than in the other three groups (P &#x2264; 0.007). No differences in plasma NT-proBNP concentrations were observed between the NT-D and HT-N groups (P=0.28). Plasma NT-proBNP concentrations were significantly lower in the NT-N group than in the other three groups (P &#x2264; 0.043). Our findings suggest that decreased GFR might be associated with increased plasma NT-proBNP concentrations in dogs, similar to that in humans. In addition, the complication of hypertension in CKD might be associated with further increases in plasma NT-proBNP concentrations. In conclusion, the effects of GFR and blood pressure on the plasma NT-proBNP concentration were small, but it could be necessary to consider the effects when this marker is used to evaluate canine cardiac disease.

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Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23570775/