Investigation into the use of plasma NT-proBNP concentration to screen for feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the utility of feline NT-proBNP plasma concentration [NT-proBNP] as a screening tool for cats with subclinical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM).


METHODS
Forty adult Maine Coon or Maine Coon crossbred cats from the feline HCM research colony at the University of California, Davis were studied. All cats had previously been genotyped as heterozygous or negative for the A31P myosin binding protein C (MYBPC) mutation. Echocardiograms were performed to assess the severity of HCM in each cat. Blood samples were collected for evaluation of [NT-proBNP].


RESULTS
In these cats with severe HCM, [NT-proBNP] was significantly elevated (P<0.0001) when compared to all other groups of cats and an [NT-proBNP]>44pmol/L accurately predicted the presence of severe HCM. However, [NT-proBNP] was not increased in cats with moderate or equivocal HCM when compared to normal cats. Cats heterozygous for the MYBPC mutation had a significantly elevated [NT-proBNP] when compared to cats without the A31P mutation (P=0.028).


CONCLUSIONS
Measurement of [NT-proBNP] has a high sensitivity and specificity as a means of detecting severe HCM in cats, but it is not sensitive for the identification of moderate HCM as judged by the evaluation of Maine Coon and Maine Coon cross cats in our colony. Consequently, we conclude that this test cannot be used to screen cats for the presence of mild to moderate HCM.
Hsu
Adonia
A
Cardiology Service, William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, One Shields Avenue, University of California Davis, Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Kittleson
Mark D
MD
Paling
Anna
A
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics / Q000662:veterinary*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D002415:Cats; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000662:veterinary; D009154:Mutation; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000099163:Myosin Binding Protein C
D015415:Biomarkers; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D000099163:Myosin Binding Protein C; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76)