Effect of pimobendan on case fatality rate in Doberman Pinschers with congestive heart failure caused by dilated cardiomyopathy.
BACKGROUND
Despite traditional therapy of a diuretic, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, digoxin, or a combination of these drugs, survival of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is low. Pimobendan, an inodilator, has both inotropic and balanced peripheral vasodilatory properties.


OBJECTIVE
Pimobendan when added to conventional therapy will improve morbidity and reduce case fatality rate in Doberman Pinschers with congestive heart failure (CHF) caused by DCM.


METHODS
Sixteen Doberman Pinschers in CHF caused by DCM.


METHODS
A prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with treatment failure as the primary and quality of life (QoL) indices as secondary outcome variables. Therapy consisted of furosemide (per os [PO] as required) and benazepril hydrochloride (0.5 mg/kg PO q12h) and dogs were randomized in pairs and by sex to receive pimobendan (0.25 mg/kg PO q12h) or placebo (1 tablet PO q12h).


RESULTS
Pimobendan-treated dogs had a significant improvement in time to treatment failure (pimobendan median, 130.5 days; placebo median, 14 days; P= .002; risk ratio = 0.35, P= .003, lower 5% confidence limit = 0.13, upper 95% confidence limit = 0.71). Number and rate of dogs reaching treatment failure in the placebo group precluded the analysis of QoL.


CONCLUSIONS
Pimobendan should be used as a first-line therapeutic in Doberman Pinschers for the treatment of CHF caused by DCM.
Department of Clinical Studies, the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada. mogrady@uoguelph.ca
M R
MR
O'Grady
S L
SL
Minors
M L
ML
O'Sullivan
R
R
Horne
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications / Q000662:veterinary*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004232:Diuretics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory / Q000662:veterinary; D005665:Furosemide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D001552:Benzazepines; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D004232:Diuretics; D011724:Pyridazines; C041648:pimobendan; D005665:Furosemide; C044946:benazepril