Survival times in dogs with severe subvalvular aortic stenosis treated with balloon valvuloplasty or atenolol.
OBJECTIVE
To determine survival times in dogs with severe subvalvular aortic stenosis (SAS) treated by means of balloon valvuloplasty or with atenolol, a beta-adrenoceptor blocking drug.


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
38 dogs < 24 months old with severe SAS (peak systolic pressure gradient > or = 80 mm Hg).


METHODS
10 dogs underwent balloon valvuloplasty and were reexamined 6 weeks later to determine the feasibility of the procedure. The remaining 28 dogs were randomly assigned to undergo balloon valvuloplasty (n = 15) or to be treated with atenolol long term (13) and were reexamined annually for 9 years or until the time of death.


RESULTS
For the first 10 dogs, mean pressure gradient 6 weeks after balloon valvuloplasty (mean +/- SD, 119 +/- 32.6 mm Hg) was significantly decreased, compared with mean baseline pressure gradient (167 +/- 40.1 mm Hg). Median survival time for dogs that underwent balloon valvuloplasty (55 months) was not significantly different from median survival time for dogs treated with atenolol (56 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Results suggest that balloon valvuloplasty can result in a significant decrease in the peak systolic pressure gradient in dogs with severe SAS, at least for the short term. No clear benefit in survival times was seen for dogs that underwent balloon valvuloplasty versus dogs that were treated with atenolol.
Meurs
Kathryn M
KM
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Lehmkuhl
Linda B
LB
Bonagura
John D
JD
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000818:Animals; D001020:Aortic Stenosis, Subvalvular / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D001262:Atenolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D002404:Catheterization / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016019:Survival Analysis
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D001262:Atenolol