Comparative assessment of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, nitric oxide and echocardiography for diagnosis of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs

The aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide [NT-Pro BNP] and nitric oxide [NO] with echocardiography [gold st and ard test] in diagnosis of canine cardiomyopathy. Out of 374 cases, 82 cases showing cardiovascular abnormalities including 16 cases of cardiomyopathy were further selected for st and ardization of biomarkers. Significant [P<0.01] increase in plasma NT-Pro BNP was found in dogs with cardiomyopathies. The plasma concentration of NO showed non-significant increase in comparison to healthy dogs. The sensitivity of NT-Pro BNP and NO was 72.20% and 62.50%, with specificity 93.90% and 89.40%, respectively when compared with echocardiography. The correlation between echocardiography and NT-Pro BNP was 89.30% with kappa value of 0.675 suggesting substantial agreement between the two tests. The positive and negative predictive value was estimated at 0.765 and 0.925, respectively. It is concluded that NT-Pro BNP and NO may be an alternate diagnostic tool for diagnosis of cardiomyopathy where the facility of echocardiography is not available. Key words: Cardiomyopathy, Echocardiography, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide, Nitric oxide

Reference values of M-mode echocardiographic parameters and indices in conscious Labrador Retriever dogs

Breed-wise standard echocardiographic values in dogs have been reported as there is variation in body and chest conformation which limits the application of data of one breed for other breed. Labrador Retrievers being originated from hunting dogs, might have different echocardiographic values from standard normal range of other dog breeds. So, the present study was aimed to determine the M-mode echocardiographic reference ranges in Labrador Retriever dogs and to evaluate the effect of body weight and gender on these parameters. The data obtained were also compared with that of the other dog breeds. Conscious clinically healthy Labrador Retriever dogs [n=24] of both sexes were made the subject of the study. All the measurements were made from a right parasternal long axis left ventricular outflow tract view and the parameters measured were: left ventricular dimensions, left ventricular function, left ventricular volumes, left atrial and aortic root diameter and mitral valve parameters. Data obtained were also compared with that available for other dog breeds. Significant correlation [P<0.05] with body weight was obtained for some of the left ventricular, atrial and mitral valve parameters, being strong for LAD, AOD, LVIDd, LVIDs, IVSd and IVSs [r>0.5]; moderate for LVPWd, LVPWs, EPSS, EF Slope and SV [r=0.3 to 0.5]; weak for EDV and ESV [r<0.3]. Non-significant effect of gender was seen on all the echocardiographic parameters. However, some of the parameters had a significant breed effect. It is expected that the obtained data will be valuable for the progress of studies on small animal cardiology