title: Long-term Outcome of Irish Wolfhound Dogs with Preclinical Cardiomyopathy, Atrial Fibrillation, or Both Treated with Pimobendan, Benazepril Hydrochloride, or Methyldigoxin Monotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality in the Irish Wolfhound (IW). However, the benefit of medical treatment in IW dogs with preclinical DCM, atrial fibrillation (AF), or both has not been demonstrated.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Compare the time to develop congestive heart failure (CHF) or sudden death in IW dogs with preclinical DCM, AF, or both receiving monotherapy with pimobendan, methyldigoxin, or benazepril hydrochloride.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-five client-owned IW dogs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Irish Wolfhound dogs were prospectively randomized to receive pimobendan (Vetmedin®), benazepril HCl (Fortekor®), or methyldigoxin (Lanitop®) monotherapy in a 1:1:1 ratio in a blinded clinical trial. The prospectively defined composite primary endpoint was onset of CHF or sudden death. To assure stringent evaluation of treatment effect, data from dogs complying with the study protocol were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-six IW fulfilling the study protocol included 39 males, 27 females; median (interquartile range) age, 4.0 years (3.0-5.0 years) and weight, 70.0 kg (63.0-75.0 kg). Primary endpoint was reached in 5 of 23 (21.7%) IW receiving pimobendan, 11 of 22 (50.0%) receiving benazepril HCl, and 9 of 21 (42.9%) receiving methyldigoxin. Median time to primary endpoint was significantly longer for pimobendan (1,991 days; 65.4 months) compared to methyldigoxin (1,263 days; 41.5 months; P = .031) or benazepril HCl-(997 days; 32.8 months; P = .008) treated dogs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In IW dogs with preclinical DCM, AF or both, pimobendan monotherapy significantly prolonged time to onset of CHF or sudden death than did monotherapy with benazepril HCl or methyldigoxin.
authors.affiliation: Small Animal Clinic (Wissen and Bonn Germany), New York, NY.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Vollmar
authors.affiliation: The Animal Medical Center, New York, NY.
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Fox
mesh_terms: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D001552:Benzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009202:Cardiomyopathies / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008520:Medigoxin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011724:Pyridazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D001552:Benzazepines; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D011724:Pyridazines; C041648:pimobendan; D008520:Medigoxin; C044946:benazepril
keywords: Dog; Heart disease; Heart failure; Occult cardiomyopathy; Survival; Treatment