Efficacy of pimobendan in the prevention of congestive heart failure or sudden death in Doberman Pinschers with preclinical dilated cardiomyopathy (the PROTECT Study).
BACKGROUND
The benefit of pimobendan in delaying the progression of preclinical dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Dobermans is not reported.


OBJECTIVE
That chronic oral administration of pimobendan to Dobermans with preclinical DCM will delay the onset of CHF or sudden death and improve survival.


METHODS
Seventy-six client-owned Dobermans recruited at 10 centers in the UK and North America.


METHODS
The trial was a randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel group multicenter study. Dogs were allocated in a 1:1 ratio to receive pimobendan (Vetmedin capsules) or visually identical placebo. The composite primary endpoint was prospectively defined as either onset of CHF or sudden death. Time to death from all causes was a secondary endpoint.


RESULTS
The proportion of dogs reaching the primary endpoint was not significantly different between groups (P = .1). The median time to the primary endpoint (onset of CHF or sudden death) was significantly longer in the pimobendan (718 days, IQR 441-1152 days) versus the placebo group (441 days, IQR 151-641 days) (log-rank P = 0.0088). The median survival time was significantly longer in the pimobendan (623 days, IQR 491-1531 days) versus the placebo group (466 days, IQR 236-710 days) (log-rank P = .034).


CONCLUSIONS
The administration of pimobendan to Dobermans with preclinical DCM prolongs the time to the onset of clinical signs and extends survival. Treatment of dogs in the preclinical phase of this common cardiovascular disorder with pimobendan can lead to improved outcome.
North Downs Specialist Referrals, Bletchingley, Surrey, RH1 4QP, UK.
N J
NJ
Summerfield
A
A
Boswood
M R
MR
O'Grady
S G
SG
Gordon
J
J
Dukes-McEwan
M A
MA
Oyama
S
S
Smith
M
M
Patteson
A T
AT
French
G J
GJ
Culshaw
L
L
Braz-Ruivo
A
A
Estrada
M L
ML
O'Sullivan
J
J
Loureiro
R
R
Willis
P
P
Watson
D000818:Animals; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D008297:Male; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D011724:Pyridazines; C041648:pimobendan