Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
How blood tests for natriuretic peptides help diagnose heart disease
By Boswood, A et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2008·Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, United Kingdom·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: The diagnostic accuracy of different natriuretic peptides in the investigation of canine cardiac disease.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of 77 dogs was tested for heart problems using a new blood test that measures a substance called NT-proBNP. This test helped distinguish between dogs with heart disease and those with breathing problems, showing accurate results. The researchers found that a level of 210 pmol/l of NT-proBNP in the blood indicated heart disease. They also noted that higher kidney function issues could lead to higher NT-proBNP levels, but age and gender did not significantly affect the results. This test can be a helpful tool for veterinarians in diagnosing heart disease in dogs, especially when considering kidney health.
People also search for: dog heart disease symptoms · NT-proBNP test for dogs · dog kidney function and heart problems
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to validate and determine the accuracy of a new sandwich ELISA for canine N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the discrimination of canine patients with cardiac disease from those with respiratory disease and to determine the effect of confounding variables on NT-proBNP concentrations. METHODS: Validation studies for the new assay were undertaken. Concentrations of N-terminal atrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) and NT-proBNP in both ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) plasma and serum were estimated in samples from 77 dogs at a laboratory blinded to the clinical status of the patient. The diagnostic accuracy of the each sample type and test was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves. The effect of age, gender and indicators of renal function was evaluated using a multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Concentrations of NT-proBNP in both serum and plasma accurately discriminated dogs with respiratory disease from those with cardiac disease, with an optimum cut-off concentration of 210 pmol/l. NT-proBNP concentrations were unaffected by sample type. Increasing creatinine concentration is associated with increasing concentration of NT-proBNP. Age and gender were not found to have significant effects on natriuretic peptide concentrations in this population. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Canine NT-proBNP appears to be a useful marker of the presence of cardiac disease, although concentrations must be interpreted in the light of the patient's renal function.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18005104/