Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Using shock index to detect heart failure in dogs with mitral valve
By Matson, Hannah & Llewellyn, Efa A·Published in Journal of veterinary emergency and critical care (San Antonio, Tex. : 2001)·2024·Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Retrospective evaluation of the utility of shock index to determine the presence of congestive heart failure in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (2019-2021): 98 cases.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 98 dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) were evaluated for signs of congestive heart failure (CHF) by measuring their heart rate and blood pressure. The study found that dogs with more severe MMVD had higher heart rates and shock index values, which is a calculation that can help predict CHF. Specifically, a shock index of 1.1 or higher was a strong indicator of CHF, showing 92% sensitivity and 95% specificity. This means that if your dog has MMVD and shows symptoms of heart issues, a shock index test could help your vet determine if CHF is present.
People also search for: dog heart problems symptoms · myxomatous mitral valve disease treatment · congestive heart failure in dogs signs
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To calculate the shock index (SI) in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and to evaluate its use to predict the presence of congestive heart failure (CHF). DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Small animal university veterinary teaching hospital. ANIMALS: Ninety-eight dogs with MMVD and 20 healthy dogs as part of a control group. INTERVENTIONS: Heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) were recorded, and SI was calculated by dividing HR by SBP for each dog. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The mean (SD) HR, SBP, and SI were 123/min (32.6), 147 mm Hg (21.5), and 0.86 (0.3), respectively, for dogs with MMVD and 98/min (20.9), 145 mm Hg (18.7), and 0.68 (0.13), respectively, for control dogs. Dogs with MMVD had a significantly higher HR compared with control dogs (P < 0.01), and an elevation in HR was seen as the severity of MMVD increased. Dogs in stage B2 and C/D MMVD had a significantly higher SI value compared with control dogs (P = 0.04 and P < 0.01, respectively). SI was significantly higher in dogs in stage C/D MMVD compared with dogs in stage B2 MMVD (P < 0.01). Ten of 98 (10%) dogs had an arrhythmia. HR, SBP, and SI were not significantly different between dogs with and without arrhythmias (P = 0.13, P = 0.57, and P = 0.07, respectively), but significantly more dogs with CHF had an arrhythmia (P = 0.01). SI (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.98) and HR (AUC: 0.95) were excellent indicators for the presence of CHF. An optimal SI cutoff value ≥1.1 had 92% sensitivity and 95% specificity for predicting the presence of CHF, and an optimal HR cutoff value of ≥157/min had 92% sensitivity and 93% specificity for the prediction of CHF. CONCLUSIONS: When there are compatible clinical signs, SI values ≥1.1 may suggest the presence of CHF in dogs with MMVD.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38809224/