Plasma big endothelin-1, atrial natriuretic peptide, aldosterone, and norepinephrine concentrations in normal Doberman Pinschers and Doberman Pinschers with dilated cardiomyopathy.
BACKGROUND
Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) results in progressive myocardial and circulatory dysfunction causing activation of a number of neurohormonal systems, including the endothelin (ET) system, which is only beginning to be described in clinical veterinary medicine. Measurement of these circulating neurohormones possesses potential utility in the diagnosis, staging, and assessment of prognosis in cardiac disease.


OBJECTIVE
We hypothesized that plasma big ET-1, norepinephrine (NE), aldosterone, and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) concentrations in normal Dobermans would differ from those in Dobermans with DCM, and that concentrations of these hormones would be associated with time to congestive heart failure (CHF) or death.


METHODS
Thirty client-owned Dobermans (10 each of normal, occult DCM, and overt DCM) were included in the study.


METHODS
Dogs underwent an echocardiogram, ECG, and blood sample collection. Neurohormones were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography (NE) or commercial assays.


RESULTS
Dogs with occult DCM had significantly higher ANP concentrations compared with normal dogs (least squares means [95% confidence interval, CI]: occult female 53.7 pg/mL [40.2-71.7] versus normal female 31.6 pg/mL [24.8-40.3], P = .026; occult male 86.1 pg/mL [64.7-115] versus normal male 12.1 pg/mL [5.1-28.7], P = .011). Dogs with overt DCM had significantly higher concentrations of all neurohormones compared with the normal group. Furthermore, increasing big ET-1 (risk ratio [RR] 2.7, CI 1.3-8.6, P = .01) and NE concentrations (RR 3.9, CI 1.1-18.1, P = .03) over 1 month were associated with a shorter survival time.


CONCLUSIONS
High ANP concentrations can identify dogs with advanced occult DCM. Increasing big ET-1 or NE concentrations over time can be useful predictors of poor prognosis.
O'Sullivan
M Lynne
ML
Department of Clinical Studies, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada. losulliv@uoguelph.ca
O'Grady
Michael R
MR
Minors
Sandra L
SL
D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood*; D000818:Animals; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D004285:Dogs; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000097:blood*
D019332:Endothelin-1; D000450:Aldosterone; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor; D009638:Norepinephrine