Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
3.5
2.3
Journals
Veterinary Sciences
Special Issues
Advances in Companion Animal Cardiology: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches
share announcement

Advances in Companion Animal Cardiology: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Veterinary Internal Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2025 | Viewed by 13842

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ana Patrícia Fontes-Sousa

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Immuno-Physiology and Pharmacology, Veterinary Hospital of the University of Porto—UPVET, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
Interests: veterinary cardiology; mitral valve disease; cardiac biomarkers; pulmonary hypertension; cardiovascular pharmacology; echocardiography; heartworm disease
Prof. Dr. Luís Lobo

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Hospital Veterinário do Porto, Trav. Silva Porto 475, 4250-475 Porto, Portugal
2. Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Lusófona de Humanidades e Tecnologias, Campo Grande, 376, 1749-024 Lisboa, Portugal
3. Centro de Estudos de Ciência Animal (CECA), Instituto de Ciências, Tecnologias e Agroambiente da Universidade do Porto (ICETA), Rua D. Manuel II, Apartado 55142, 4051-401 Porto, Portugal
Interests: veterinary cardiology; dilated cardiomyopathy; congenital heart disease; electrocardiography; mitral valve disease; minimally invasive surgery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Maria João Miranda Pires

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
Interests: experimental pathology; veterinary cardiology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cardiovascular diseases represent a significant concern in veterinary medicine, particularly in companion animals such as dogs and cats. As these pets are playing increasingly central roles in human families, protecting their health and wellbeing has become a top priority. Cardiac conditions in animals show a complexity comparable to those in human medicine, presenting challenges in terms of early detection, precise diagnosis, and the development of effective therapies. Addressing these challenges requires a commitment to advancing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. This Special Issue, "Advances in Companion Animal Cardiology: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches", will explore this rapidly evolving field, highlighting the importance of innovative techniques and personalized treatments. By focusing on early detection and tailored interventions, this collection of papers will underscore their critical role in enhancing quality of life for companion animals and extending their lifespan. This Special Issue will cover a diverse range of topics, including advanced imaging technologies, biomarker identification, genetic research, minimally invasive procedures, and the latest pharmacological innovations. It will provide a comprehensive overview of recent progress in diagnosing and managing cardiac conditions, from congenital anomalies to acquired diseases. By bringing together cutting-edge research and clinical expertise, this Special Issue will foster collaboration among scientists and veterinarians dedicated to companion animal cardiology. It will serve as a catalyst for further innovation, bridging gaps in knowledge and advancing the care provided to pets.

Dr. Ana Patrícia Fontes-Sousa
Prof. Dr. Luís Lobo
Dr. Maria João Miranda Pires
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • companion animal cardiology
  • cardiac diagnostics in veterinary medicine
  • therapeutic approaches to animal heart disease
  • innovations in veterinary cardiology
  • cardiovascular diseases in dogs and cats

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

11 pages, 3806 KB  
Article
Disopyramide Therapy in Cats with Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Non-Responsive to Carvedilol
by Shuji Satomi, Ryohei Suzuki, Yunosuke Yuchi, Haruka Kanno, Miyuki Nomura, Takahiro Teshima and Hirotaka Matsumoto
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(10), 999; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12100999 (registering DOI) - 16 Oct 2025
Abstract
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cardiomyopathy in cats and is classified as obstructive (HOCM) or non-obstructive based on anatomical differences in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). In severe obstructive cases, while beta-blockers are the recommended initial treatment in humans, some [...] Read more.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common cardiomyopathy in cats and is classified as obstructive (HOCM) or non-obstructive based on anatomical differences in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT). In severe obstructive cases, while beta-blockers are the recommended initial treatment in humans, some patients exhibit treatment resistance. For these cases, the addition of the antiarrhythmic agent disopyramide is common. However, its use in cats has only been documented in a case report. In this study, the use of disopyramide resulted in a significant reduction in the LVOT velocity and cardiac troponin I levels. Additionally, no significant adverse effects were observed. These findings suggest that disopyramide could be a potential therapeutic option for the treatment in cats with HOCM. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Companion Animal Cardiology: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 1900 KB  
Article
Monoplane Simpson’s Method Is Reliable for Left Atrial Volume Assessment in Small Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease
by Minsuk Kim, Minwoong Seo and Chul Park
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(10), 994; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12100994 (registering DOI) - 15 Oct 2025
Abstract
Left atrial enlargement is a key marker of disease progression and prognosis in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease. Echocardiographic assessment of left atrial volume provides a more comprehensive measure than linear dimensions, yet different two-dimensional methods may yield variable results. This study [...] Read more.
Left atrial enlargement is a key marker of disease progression and prognosis in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease. Echocardiographic assessment of left atrial volume provides a more comprehensive measure than linear dimensions, yet different two-dimensional methods may yield variable results. This study aimed to compare the monoplane Simpson’s method of discs and the biplane area–length method for estimating left atrial volume indexed to body weight in dogs across different stages of disease. Dogs were prospectively evaluated with transthoracic echocardiography, and left atrial volumes were calculated using both techniques. Both indices clearly distinguished dogs with enlarged atria from controls and stage B1 patients. However, the two methods were not interchangeable, regardless of atrial size, as demonstrated by the Bland–Altman analysis. In conclusion, both techniques are clinically useful for assessing left atrial remodeling, but because they are not interchangeable, clinicians should consistently use one method. The monoplane Simpson’s method may be particularly practical for routine clinical application due to its convenience. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Companion Animal Cardiology: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 789 KB  
Article
The Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, and Platelet Score as a Prognostic Indicator for Dogs with Congestive Heart Failure Secondary to Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease
by Jayeon Park, Yeon Chae, Sungjae Lee, Yoonhoi Koo, Hakhyun Kim, Byeong-Teck Kang and Taesik Yun
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(9), 908; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12090908 - 18 Sep 2025
Viewed by 614
Abstract
Reliable prognostic indicators for congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in dogs are limited. The hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score, a prognostic marker in humans, has not been evaluated in veterinary medicine. This study aimed to [...] Read more.
Reliable prognostic indicators for congestive heart failure (CHF) secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in dogs are limited. The hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score, a prognostic marker in humans, has not been evaluated in veterinary medicine. This study aimed to assess the HALP score’s utility for predicting short-term mortality in dogs with CHF due to MMVD. This retrospective study included 54 small-breed dogs. The HALP score was calculated as: hemoglobin (g/L) × albumin (g/L) × lymphocytes (/L)/platelets (/L). Six-, nine-month, and one-year mortality were assessed. The HALP score was significantly higher in survivor groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis showed good predictive accuracy for six- and nine-month mortality (area under the curve > 0.7). A cut-off of 11.13 for six-month mortality yielded 44.44% sensitivity and 94.44% specificity. Kaplan–Meier analysis confirmed that a higher HALP score was associated with significantly longer survival. The HALP score appears to be a valuable, novel prognostic indicator for short-term mortality in dogs with CHF due to MMVD. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Companion Animal Cardiology: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 751 KB  
Article
Preliminary Evaluation of NT-proBNP and cTnI as Predictors of Procedure Safety in Dogs Undergoing Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair
by Jeong-Min Lee, Seung-Keun Lee, Kyoung-A Youp, Ah-Ra Lee, Young-Wook Cho, Youn-Seo Jung and Sun-Tae Lee
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(3), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12030223 - 2 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1655
Abstract
Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in dogs can be treated with transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER), an emerging minimally invasive surgical technique. However, reports on prognostic markers for preoperative evaluation remain limited. This study evaluated the association of preoperative N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic [...] Read more.
Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in dogs can be treated with transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral valve repair (TEER), an emerging minimally invasive surgical technique. However, reports on prognostic markers for preoperative evaluation remain limited. This study evaluated the association of preoperative N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin I (cTnI) levels with procedure safety in dogs undergoing TEER. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 25 dogs diagnosed with stage C (n = 18) or D (n = 7) MMVD that underwent TEER between September 2023 and January 2025. Preoperative NT-proBNP and cTnI values were measured and compared between survivors and non-survivors. Among the survivors, 15 and 4 dogs were stages C and D, respectively. Among the non-survivors, three and three dogs were stages C and D, respectively. Non-survivors had higher median NT-proBNP levels (3557 pmol/L; range: 774–10,000) and cTnI levels (0.39 ng/mL; range: 0.22–0.51) than survivors (NT-proBNP: 1262.6 pmol/L, range: 500–8773; cTnI: 0.1 ng/mL, range: 0.01–3.6). However, the two groups showed no significant differences in NT-proBNP (p = 0.187) or cTnI (p = 0.869). Increased preoperative NT-proBNP and cTnI levels were not strong predictors of procedure safety in dogs with MMVD stages C and D undergoing TEER. Further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are needed to better evaluate the prognostic value of these biomarkers in this population. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Companion Animal Cardiology: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

28 pages, 4376 KB  
Review
Systemic Arterial Hypertension and Factors Associated with Blood Pressure Dysregulation in Companion Animals
by Felipe Gaia de Sousa, Fabiana Silva Fádel Queiroz, Ruthnéa Aparecida Lázaro Muzzi, Júlio César Cambraia Veado and Suzane Lilian Beier
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(5), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12050453 - 9 May 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2232
Abstract
Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), characterised by a persistent increase in BP beyond the reference values for the species, is a concerning and detrimental clinical condition. The aim of this manuscript is to present the state of the art on SAH in companion animals, [...] Read more.
Systemic arterial hypertension (SAH), characterised by a persistent increase in BP beyond the reference values for the species, is a concerning and detrimental clinical condition. The aim of this manuscript is to present the state of the art on SAH in companion animals, including the different types of hypertension, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and the factors associated with its occurrence, such as the role of stress. It also discusses the benefits and challenges related to the measurement process. SAH is categorised into types based on the underlying cause: situational, secondary, and idiopathic (the least frequently observed). The situational type occurs when stress is the primary factor, such as during veterinary visits, contact with other animals, or in cases of ‘white coat syndrome’. If the stressor is removed, BP values tend to normalise. The most common type of SAH is the secondary form, which is associated with an underlying condition, such as renal, cardiac, endocrine, or neurological diseases, or a combination of these. Diagnosing SAH is a challenging task for many veterinarians due to factors related to handling the animal, managing the equipment, and interpreting the results. Consequently, many professionals either take inaccurate measurements or misinterpret the results, often prescribing antihypertensive medications prematurely or unnecessarily. Despite being a well-standardised and well-documented process, challenges persist. Treatment often involves antihypertensive drugs, either alone or in combination, alongside management of the underlying causes, when present. Therefore, BP values should be obtained correctly, with clinical-therapeutic decisions carefully aligned with the factors that may influence them. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Companion Animal Cardiology: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 5087 KB  
Review
Clinical-Diagnostic and Therapeutic Advances in Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
by Felipe Gaia de Sousa, Ana Cristina Ribeiro Mendes, Luisa Pimenta de Carvalho and Suzane Lilian Beier
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(3), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12030289 - 19 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 8505
Abstract
A comprehensive literature review was conducted to summarise existing evidence and the latest therapeutic advancements in feline HCM. The disease phenotype is characterised by the development of concentric hypertrophy, which is variable but often asymmetric, primarily affecting the left ventricle. The HCM is [...] Read more.
A comprehensive literature review was conducted to summarise existing evidence and the latest therapeutic advancements in feline HCM. The disease phenotype is characterised by the development of concentric hypertrophy, which is variable but often asymmetric, primarily affecting the left ventricle. The HCM is marked by diastolic dysfunction, resulting in a reduced intracavitary internal diameter due to the disordered alignment of cardiomyocytes and excessive collagen deposition, which thickens the myocardial tissue and impairs relaxation. There is strong evidence supporting the role of genetic mutations in sarcomeric genes in the development of HCM. Clinical signs vary but are frequently associated with congestive heart failure (CHF) and ATE. Diagnosis is based on a combination of clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, and imaging studies, although certain aspects of the disease remain insufficiently understood and require further research. Therapeutic management focuses on controlling clinical signs, slowing disease progression, and improving both quality of life and life expectancy. However, ongoing studies are essential to refine diagnostic strategies and explore novel treatment options for better disease management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Companion Animal Cardiology: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-6
Back to TopTop