Myoglobin as a prognostic indicator for outcome in dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether myoglobin (Mb) is a useful prognostic indicator for outcome and to investigate any relationship between Mb and mortality in dogs with gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV).


METHODS
Prospective study.


METHODS
Veterinary teaching hospital.


METHODS
Seventy-two dogs with GDV.


METHODS
Blood sampling.


RESULTS
Mb levels were measured at the time of diagnosis (Mbt0), 24 hours (Mbt1), and 48 hours (Mbt2) after signs of GDV were recognized. Fifty-seven dogs survived (group I) and 15 dogs did not survive (group II). Mbt0 differed significantly between groups (P=0.04). Mbt0 in group I ranged from <30 to >700 ng/mL (n=57, median 74 ng/mL), and in group II from 34 to >700 ng/mL (n=15, median 238 ng/mL). Analysis of a receiver operating characteristic curve of Mbt0 suggested that the best single cutpoint would be 168 ng/mL (sensitivity 60.0%, specificity 84.2%). Fifty percent of dogs with Mbt0>168 ng/mL were euthanized, while 88.9% with Mbt0<168 ng/mL survived. Mbt1 and Mbt2 differed significantly between groups I and II. Mbt1 in group I ranged from 32 to >700 ng/mL (n=55, median 123 ng/mL), and Mbt1 in group II ranged from 131 to 643 ng/mL (n=7, median 343 ng/mL) (P=0.006). Mbt2 in group I ranged from 30 to 597 ng/mL (n=54, median 101 ng/mL), and in group II from 141 to >700 ng/mL (n=8, median 203 ng/mL) (P=0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, Mbt0 is a moderately sensitive and specific prognostic indicator. Almost 90% of the dogs below the cutpoint survived to discharge, whereas 50% with Mbt0 above the cutpoint did not survive.
Adamik
Katja N
KN
Clinic of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Free University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany. katja-adamik@gmx.de
Burgener
Iwan A
IA
Kovacevic
Alan
A
Schulze
Sebastian P
SP
Kohn
Barbara
B
D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D009211:Myoglobin / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013277:Stomach Volvulus / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*
D015415:Biomarkers; D009211:Myoglobin