Prospective screening for occult cardiomyopathy in dogs by measurement of plasma atrial natriuretic peptide, B-type natriuretic peptide, and cardiac troponin-I concentrations.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of measuring plasma concentrations of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), and cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) to detect dogs with occult dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).


METHODS
118 client-owned dogs.


METHODS
Dogs were prospectively examined by use of ECG; echocardiography; and evaluation of concentrations of ANP, BNP, and cTnI. Occult DCM was diagnosed by evaluation of echocardiographic left ventricular dimensions and detection of ventricular arrhythmias on ECG. Sensitivity and specificity of assays for measurement of plasma concentrations of ANP, BNP, and cTnI to detect dogs with occult DCM were determined.


RESULTS
Occult DCM was diagnosed in 21 dogs. A concentration of > 6.21 pg/mL for BNP had a sensitivity of 95.2% and specificity of 61.9% for identifying dogs with occult DCM. In contrast, concentrations of ANP and cTnI had relatively low predictive values.


CONCLUSIONS
Blood-based screening for occult DCM in dogs can be accomplished by use of a BNP assay. Additional studies should be performed to optimize this method of screening dogs to detect occult DCM.
Oyama
Mark A
MA
Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61802, USA.
Sisson
D David
DD
Solter
Phil F
PF
D000818:Animals; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004285:Dogs; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000662:veterinary; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D019210:Troponin I / Q000097:blood*
D019210:Troponin I; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor