Evaluation of the association between plasma concentration of N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide and outcome in cats with cardiomyopathy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether plasma N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide (NT-proANP) concentration could predict the outcome (survival duration) of cats with cardiomyopathy (CM).


METHODS
Case-control study.


METHODS
51 cats with CM (25 with and 26 without congestive heart failure [CHF]) and 17 healthy cats.


METHODS
Cats were thoroughly examined and assigned to 1 of 3 groups (control, CM with CHF, and CM alone). Plasma NT-proANP concentrations were measured by use of a human proANP(1-98) ELISA. Survival durations were compared between CM groups.


RESULTS
Plasma NT-proANP concentrations differed significantly among the 3 groups, and survival durations differed significantly between the 2 CM groups. Median (range) NT-proANP concentration was 413 fmol/mL (52 to 940 fmol/mL) in the control group, 1,254 fmol/mL (167 to 2,818 fmol/mL) in the CM alone group, and 3,208 fmol/mL (1,189 to 15,462 fmol/mL) in the CM with CHF group. At a cutoff of 517 fmol/mL, NT-proANP concentration had a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 82% for detecting CM. Multivariate analysis revealed that only the variable left atrium-to-aortic diameter ratio was a significant predictor of survival duration.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma NT-proANP concentration may have potential as a testing marker for distinguishing healthy cats from cats with CM. It may also be useful for distinguishing CM cats with CHF from those without CHF The value of NT-proANP concentration as a predictor of survival duration was not supported in this study and requires further evaluation.
Zimmering
Tanja M
TM
Small Animal Hospital, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Germany. tanja.zimmering@tiho-hannover.de
Hungerbühler
Stephan
S
Meneses
Felix
F
Nolte
Ingo
I
Simon
Daniela
D
D000818:Animals; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D011498:Protein Precursors / Q000097:blood*
D015415:Biomarkers; C099254:N-terminal proatrial natriuretic peptide; D011498:Protein Precursors; D009320:Atrial Natriuretic Factor