Weekly variability of plasma and serum NT-proBNP measurements in normal dogs.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the weekly variability of serum and plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) concentrations in healthy dogs.


METHODS
Fifty-three normal dogs were examined prospectively. Serum (n=25) or plasma (n=28) samples were obtained for NT-proBNP assay at one week interval for 3 consecutive weeks.


RESULTS
Median serum or plasma NT-proBNP concentration did not change over 3 consecutive weeks. Twenty-two of 53 dogs (42%) had at least one NT-proBNP value >500 pmol/L, including 14 dogs with at least one serum NT-proBNP concentration >500 pmol/L and 8 dogs with at least one plasma NT-proBNP concentration >500 pmol/L during the 3-week sampling period. The difference between the maximum and minimum NT-proBNP value obtained over the 3-week sampling period was <100 pmol/L in 40% of dogs, between 100 and 200 pmol/L in 40% of dogs, and >200 pmol/L in 20% of dogs. Of the 19 dogs with a value >500 pmol/L on either week 1 or 2, 11 dogs (58%) had a subsequent NT-proBNP value <500 pmol/L on either week 2 or 3.


CONCLUSIONS
There is a high degree of variability in weekly serum and plasma NT-proBNP values in healthy dogs. Individual variability should be considered when interpreting NT-proBNP results in dogs.
Kellihan
Heidi B
HB
University of Wisconsin, School of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Medicine, 2015 Linden Dr. Madison, WI 53711, USA. kellihanh@svm.vetmed.wisc.edu
Oyama
Mark A
MA
Reynolds
Caryn A
CA
Stepien
Rebecca L
RL
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D004285:Dogs / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D010949:Plasma / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D044967:Serum / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D015415:Biomarkers; D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain