Evaluation of add on effect of carvedilol on standard protocol of digoxin, frusemide and benazepril in the management of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs

Abstract

This is a prospective, controlled, randomized clinical trial in canine patients with overt Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM). We hypothesized that the addition of the third generation beta-blocker carvedilol to the standard treatment of diuretic (furosemide), inotropic support (digoxin) and ACE-inhibitor (benazepril) would have beneficial effects over cardiac function and quality of life (QoL) that would be measurable 90 days post-treatment. 16 dogs diagnosed with overt DCM were recruited. They underwent clinical examination, electrocardiography, echocardiography and neurohormonal profiling (NT-proBNP and NO). Dogs were divided in two groups, receiving standard therapy or standard therapy plus carvedilol and subjected to re-evaluation on 90 days post-treatment. Our results indicated that the addition of carvedilol to the standard therapy improved echocardiographic indices of systolic function (FS and EF), reduced NT-proBNP and NO serum levels and quality of life within the group but did not showed the significant improvement over standard therapy. This suggested that the addition of carvedilol to the standard therapy in canine patients with overt DCM might have beneficial effects in cardiac function and quality of life in the treatment was continued for longer period.