Abstract

Background: Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) results in progressive myocardial and circulatory dysfunction causing activation of a number of neurohormonal systems, including the endothelin (ET) system, which is only beginning to be described in clinical veterinary medicine. Measurement of these circulating neurohormones possesses potential utility in the diagnosis, staging, and assessment of prognosis in cardiac disease. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that plasma big ET‐1, norepinephrine (NE), aldosterone, and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations in normal Dobermans would differ from those in Dobermans with DCM, and that concentrations of these hormones would be associated with time to congestive heart failure (CHF) or death. Animals: Thirty client‐owned Dobermans (10 each of normal, occult DCM, and overt DCM) were included in the study. Methods: Dogs underwent an echocardiogram, ECG, and blood sample collection. Neurohormones were measured by high‐pressure liquid chromatography (NE) or commercial assays. Results: Dogs with occult DCM had significantly higher ANP concentrations compared with normal dogs (least squares means [95% confidence interval, CI]: occult female 53.7 pg/mL [40.2–71.7] versus normal female 31.6 pg/mL [24.8–40.3], P= .026; occult male 86.1 pg/mL [64.7–115] versus normal male 12.1 pg/mL [5.1–28.7], P= .011). Dogs with overt DCM had significantly higher concentrations of all neurohormones compared with the normal group. Furthermore, increasing big ET‐1 (risk ratio [RR] 2.7, CI 1.3–8.6, P= .01) and NE concentrations (RR 3.9, CI 1.1–18.1, P= .03) over 1 month were associated with a shorter survival time. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: High ANP concentrations can identify dogs with advanced occult DCM. Increasing big ET‐1 or NE concentrations over time can be useful predictors of poor prognosis.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.