ABSTRACT
Endothelial dysfunction might be involved in the pathogenesis of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). The aims of this study were (1) to validate an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for canine 6-keto-prostaglandin (PG)F(1alpha) (prostacyclin metabolite and marker for endothelial function) and (2) to compare plasma and urinary 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) in dogs with asymptomatic MMVD. The study included two breeds predisposed to MMVD and two control groups (Cairn terriers and dogs of different breeds). Echocardiography was used to estimate the severity of MMVD. The intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were between 3.1% and 24.5% in the assay range. No echocardiographic parameter was correlated with plasma or urinary 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) (P>0.05), but all control dogs had lower urinary 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) (P<0.02) and the Cairn terriers had higher plasma 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) (P<0.02). The EIA appeared valid for measuring canine 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) in plasma and urine. It is suggested that 6-keto-PGF(1alpha) levels are related to breed and not MMVD in asymptomatic stages.
Subject(s)
6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha/blood , 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha/urine , Dog Diseases/blood , Dog Diseases/urine , Heart Valve Diseases/veterinary , Immunoenzyme Techniques/veterinary , Age Factors , Animals , Biomarkers/blood , Biomarkers/urine , Body Weight/physiology , Dog Diseases/pathology , Dogs , Echocardiography/veterinary , Female , Heart Valve Diseases/blood , Heart Valve Diseases/pathology , Heart Valve Diseases/urine , Immunoenzyme Techniques/methods , Immunoenzyme Techniques/standards , Male , Mitral Valve , Mitral Valve Insufficiency/blood , Mitral Valve Insufficiency/pathology , Mitral Valve Insufficiency/urine , Mitral Valve Insufficiency/veterinary , Risk Factors , Severity of Illness Index , Sex FactorsABSTRACT
Natriuretic peptides are useful in diagnosing heart failure in dogs. However, their usefulness in detecting early stages of myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) has been debated. This study evaluated N-terminal (NT) fragment pro-atrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) and NT-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in 39 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) with pre-clinical mitral valve regurgitation (MR), sixteen dogs with clinical signs of heart failure (HF) and thirteen healthy control dogs. Twenty seven CKCS and ten control dogs were re-examined 4 years after the initial examination and the status of the dogs 5 years after the initial examination was determined by telephone calls to the owner. All dogs were evaluated by clinical examination and echocardiography. CKCS with severe MR had higher NT-proANP and NT-proBNP compared to controls and CKCS with less severe MR. Dogs with clinical signs of HF had markedly elevated NT-proANP and NT-proBNP. Plasma concentrations of the natriuretic peptides measured at re-examination could predict progression in regurgitant jet size.
