Cardiac troponin I: evaluation I of a biomarker for the diagnosis of heart disease in the dog.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the value of measuring blood levels of the myocardial protein cardiac troponin I (cTnl) in the diagnosis of congenital and acquired heart disease in the dog and in the evaluation of the severity of heart failure.


METHODS
Serum samples obtained from healthy dogs (n = 26) and from dogs diagnosed with a variety of congenital and acquired heart conditions (n = 35) were assayed for cTnl concentration using an automated immunoassay method. Results were also analysed according to the degree of heart failure as assessed using the International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council's scheme.


RESULTS
Healthy dogs had very low or undetectable blood cTnl levels, as did dogs with congenital heart disease. However, cTnl levels were significantly elevated in dogs with acquired mitral valve disease, dilated cardiomyopathy and pericardial effusion. Blood cTnl levels also varied with severity of heart failure.


CONCLUSIONS
Measurement of blood cTnl levels may be a useful aid in the diagnosis of dogs with suspected heart disease and in indicating the severity of heart failure.
Spratt
D P
DP
Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ES.
Mellanby
R J
RJ
Drury
N
N
Archer
J
J
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D008297:Male; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; D019210:Troponin I