Longitudinal electrocardiographic evaluation of dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease.
BACKGROUND
Increased heart rate (HR) and decreased heart rate variability (HRV) are evident in some dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD).


OBJECTIVE
Evaluation of the factors influencing HR and HRV (assessed by the vasovagal tonus index; VVTI) and their change over time in dogs with DMVD.


METHODS
Client-owned dogs (n = 257) with DMVD recruited from first opinion practice.


METHODS
Prospective longitudinal follow-up at six-monthly intervals of dogs with DMVD. Dogs followed up for at least 18 months (n = 102) were grouped according to their outcome as dogs dying/euthanized because of cardiac disease (n = 28; Group 1), noncardiac disease (n = 40; Group 2) and dogs alive (n = 34; Group 3). HR and VVTI were measured on 1-minute ECG recordings. Repeated measures linear models were constructed to investigate the factors that influence HR and VVTI and their changes over time.


RESULTS
Heart rate and VVTI were affected by disease severity and were different in Cavaliers compared to other breeds. Group 1 and Group 2 dogs underwent an increase in HR and decrease in VVTI, evident at least 18 months before death. Group 1 had a further decrease in VVTI followed by an increase in HR approximately 1 year and 6 months before death, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Dogs with DMVD have an increase in HR and decrease in HRV over a year before death, with greater changes in those dogs dying/euthanized because of cardiac disease. Both HR and VVTI can potentially be regarded as biomarkers for all-cause mortality.
Department of Clinical Science and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK.
J
J
López-Alvarez
A
A
Boswood
W
W
Moonarmart
M J
MJ
Hezzell
N
N
Lotter
J
J
Elliott
D000818:Animals; D018450:Disease Progression; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004285:Dogs; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008943:Mitral Valve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014463:Ultrasonography
Autonomic nervous system; Heart rate variability; Vasovagal tonus index