Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
NT-proBNP blood test helps assess heart duct problem in dogs
By Hariu, Crystal D et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary cardiology : the official journal of the European Society of Veterinary Cardiology·2013·Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Utility of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide for assessing hemodynamic significance of patent ductus arteriosus in dogs undergoing ductal repair.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), a heart condition, had higher levels of a specific blood marker (NT-proBNP) compared to healthy dogs. After undergoing a procedure to close the duct, their NT-proBNP levels dropped significantly within 90 days, indicating improvement. Additionally, their heart size and pressure measurements also improved after the treatment. This suggests that monitoring NT-proBNP can help assess the severity of PDA and the effectiveness of the treatment.
People also search for: dog heart murmur treatment · patent ductus arteriosus in dogs · NT-proBNP levels in dogs
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Determine if plasma N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) correlates with markers of hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in dogs. ANIMALS: Ten dogs with PDA and 30 healthy dogs of similar ages. METHODS: Prospective case series with control population. Dogs with PDA were initially evaluated with thoracic radiographs, transthoracic echocardiography, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) and NT-proBNP. Following ductal occlusion, NT-proBNP and echocardiography were repeated within 24 h and at day 90. PCWP was repeated at day 90. Correlation between NT-proBNP and hemodynamic measurements was assessed, and accuracy of NT-proBNP for identifying PDA severity was estimated. RESULTS: NT-proBNP was significantly higher (median; absolute range) in dogs with PDA (895; 490-7118 pmol/L) than controls (663; 50-1318 pmol/L) (p = 0.025). NT-proBNP decreased significantly 90 days post-ductal closure (597; 154-1858 pmol/L) (p = 0.013). Left atrial and ventricular size decreased significantly within 24 h and at day 90 as did PCWP (day 90 only). NT-proBNP correlated with vertebral heart size (VHS) and indexed left ventricular systolic diameter (iLVIDs); concentrations ≥ 1224 pmol/L distinguished dogs with elevated VHS and iLVIDs. CONCLUSIONS: NT-proBNP is elevated in dogs with PDA, decreases following PDA closure and correlates with select radiographic and echocardiographic markers of cardiac remodeling.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23933478/