Veterinary Sciences

Research

12 pages, 694 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Self-Reported Utilization of International Guidelines for Staging Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Degeneration: A Survey among Veterinary Practitioners

by Marie D. B. van Staveren, Esther Muis and Viktor Szatmári

Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(12), 687; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10120687 - 2 Dec 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2102

Abstract

Background: ACVIM developed and published guidelines for staging myxomatous mitral valve degeneration in dogs in 2009. An updated version was published in 2019. The present study aimed to investigate whether these guidelines are actually used by the intended public more than a decade [...] Read more.

Background: ACVIM developed and published guidelines for staging myxomatous mitral valve degeneration in dogs in 2009. An updated version was published in 2019. The present study aimed to investigate whether these guidelines are actually used by the intended public more than a decade after their first publication. Methods: An online survey was distributed among Dutch and Belgian veterinarians through online channels and mailing lists. Results: Of the 524 responses, only 363 complete surveys were analyzed. The ACVIM guidelines are used by 60% of the respondents. Veterinarians find it more difficult to differentiate stage B1 from B2 in asymptomatic dogs compared to diagnosing stage C. Three-quarters of the respondents would recommend echocardiography for an incidentally detected new murmur with an intensity of 3 out of 6 in an adult dog. Two-thirds of the respondents find coughing a convincing finding for stage C disease. Close to half of the respondents associate a horizontal, dull percussion line with pulmonary edema. For confirming cardiogenic pulmonary edema, 98% of the respondents used thoracic radiographs. Conclusions: Veterinary practitioners might not have the expected training and equipment to be able to apply the guidelines in their practices, especially in the differentiation of stage B1 from stage B2. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Animal Cardiovascular Disease)

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15 pages, 1437 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Retrospective Cohort Evaluation of Left Ventricular Remodeling, Perioperative Complications and Outcome in Medium and Large Size Dogs with Patent Ductus Arteriosus after Percutaneous Closure

by Melissa Papa, Lorenzo Scarpellini, Danitza Pradelli, Anna Maria Zanaboni, Alessia Mattia, Elisabetta Boz, Cecilia Rossi, Stefania Signorelli, Viviana Forti, Martina Longobardi, Beatrice Pasquinelli, Maria Celeste Gendusa, Davide Gamba and Claudio Maria Bussadori

Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(12), 669; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10120669 - 24 Nov 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1995

Abstract

This retrospective cohort study included one hundred fifty-seven medium and large-size dogs with the aim of evaluating the effect of signalment and echocardiographic features on complications, outcomes and left ventricular modifications before and after patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure. The patients were divided [...] Read more.

This retrospective cohort study included one hundred fifty-seven medium and large-size dogs with the aim of evaluating the effect of signalment and echocardiographic features on complications, outcomes and left ventricular modifications before and after patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) closure. The patients were divided in two groups based on the heart remodeling after closure: Group A included dogs that had a reduction in the end-systolic volume index (ESVI) after closure compared to the ESVI measured before; Group B included dogs without a reduction in ESVI after closure. Body weight, minimal ductal diameter (MDD) of PDA, end-diastolic volume index and presence of arrhythmias at presentation were significantly higher in Group B compared to Group A. The shortening fraction and ejection fraction after closure were reduced in both groups, but in Group B there was a major reduction, and the mean values indicated a possible systolic dysfunction. Complications during the procedure and death due to cardiac reasons were greater in Group B compared to Group A. In conclusion, a higher body weight, a larger MDD, a more severe heart enlargement or arrhythmias at presentation increased the risk of developing a worsening structural and functional condition after ductal closure, and this can be associated with perioperative complications and cardiac death. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Animal Cardiovascular Disease)

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10 pages, 1798 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Correlation between the Leaflet–Annulus Index and Echocardiographic Indices in Maltese Dogs with Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease

by Han-Joon Lee, Hyung-Jin Park, Joong-Hyun Song and Kun-Ho Song

Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(8), 493; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10080493 - 1 Aug 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2833

Abstract

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common chronic heart valve disease, leading to left-sided cardiomegaly in dogs. The leaflet–annulus index (LAI) was originally used in humans as a predictor of mitral regurgitation (MR) after mitral valve repair surgery. This index represents [...] Read more.

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common chronic heart valve disease, leading to left-sided cardiomegaly in dogs. The leaflet–annulus index (LAI) was originally used in humans as a predictor of mitral regurgitation (MR) after mitral valve repair surgery. This index represents the quantity and severity of MR since it is affected by annular dilation. Recently, LAI was adapted to veterinary medicine, and its usefulness as an indicator of annular dilation on 2D transthoracic echocardiography in MMVD dogs was suggested. For this study, 135 Maltese dogs were selected and divided into groups of control, B1, and B2, according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine consensus statement. The following data were collected: radiographic indices including the vertebral heart score and vertebral left atrial size, echocardiographic indices including the left-atrium-to-aortic-root ratio (LA:Ao), left ventricular internal diameter at diastole, normalized for body weight, and anteroposterior length and LAI measured on right parasternal long-axis view. The results showed a significant difference in LAI between each group, becoming smaller as the disease progressed. Also, there was a significant correlation between LAI and each index, showing the strongest correlation with LA:Ao. LAI could be helpful as a new indicator used for the determination of severity and prognosis in Maltese dogs with MMVD. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Animal Cardiovascular Disease)

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10 pages, 2892 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of a Soluble Guanylate Cyclase Stimulator Riociguat on Contractility of Isolated Pulmonary Artery and Hemodynamics of U46619-Induced Pulmonary Hypertension in Dogs

by Satoshi Kameshima, Yuki Nakamura, Kenji Uehara, Tomoko Kodama, Hideyuki Yamawaki, Kotaro Nishi, Shozo Okano, Ryo Niijima, Yuya Kimura and Naoyuki Itoh

Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(2), 159; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10020159 - 15 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2025

Abstract

Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator riociguat is a relatively novel therapeutic agent for pulmonary hypertension (PH) in human medicine. Riociguat induces endothelium-independent pulmonary artery (PA) relaxation by directly activating the sGC-cyclic guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) pathway in muscle cells. Although riociguat may be effective in [...] Read more.

Soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) stimulator riociguat is a relatively novel therapeutic agent for pulmonary hypertension (PH) in human medicine. Riociguat induces endothelium-independent pulmonary artery (PA) relaxation by directly activating the sGC-cyclic guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) pathway in muscle cells. Although riociguat may be effective in the treatment of dogs with refractory PH, basic studies on its clinical application in veterinary medicine are lacking. The present study aimed to explore the effects of riociguat on the contractility of an isolated canine PA and the hemodynamics of dogs with acute PH. In an isolated endothelium-denuded canine PA, the effects of riociguat on endothelin (ET)-1-induced contraction and cGMP levels were investigated using the Magnus method and ELISA, respectively. The effect of riociguat on the hemodynamics of the thromboxane A2 analog U46619-induced PH model dog was examined by invasive catheterization. Riociguat increased cGMP levels and reduced ET-1-induced contraction of the isolated PA. Riociguat inhibited the U46619-induced elevation of PA pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance and increased cardiac output, but it had no effect on basal systemic blood pressure. These results demonstrate for the first time that riociguat can inhibit the elevation of PA pressure through PA relaxation via an endothelium-independent increase in cGMP in dogs with PH. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Animal Cardiovascular Disease)

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Review

Jump to: Research, Other

20 pages, 705 KiB

Open AccessReview

Emerging Roles of Micrornas in Veterinary Cardiology

by Ana Reis-Ferreira, Joana Neto-Mendes, Carmen Brás-Silva, Luís Lobo and Ana Patrícia Fontes-Sousa

Vet. Sci. 2022, 9(10), 533; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci9100533 - 28 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2972

Abstract

Over the last years, the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) has increasingly been recognised. Each miRNA is a short sequence of non-coding RNA that influences countless genes’ expression and, thereby, contributes to several physiological pathways and diseases. It has been demonstrated that miRNAs participate [...] Read more.

Over the last years, the importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) has increasingly been recognised. Each miRNA is a short sequence of non-coding RNA that influences countless genes’ expression and, thereby, contributes to several physiological pathways and diseases. It has been demonstrated that miRNAs participate in the development of many cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This review synopsises the most recent studies emphasising miRNA’s influence in several CVDs affecting dogs and cats. It provides a concise outline of miRNA’s biology and function, the diagnostic potential of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers, and their role in different CVDs. It also discusses known and future roles for miRNAs as potential clinical biomarkers and therapeutic targets. So, this review gives a comprehensive outline of the most relevant miRNAs related to CVDs in Veterinary Medicine. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Animal Cardiovascular Disease)

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Other

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14 pages, 711 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Risk Factors for Atrial Fibrillation in the Dog: A Systematic Review

by Giulia Arcuri, Carlotta Valente, Caterina Perini and Carlo Guglielmini

Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(1), 47; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11010047 - 21 Jan 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2462

Abstract

Different risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF) development have been identified in numerous studies on humans, but this information is less clearly available on the dog. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the risk factors for AF in the dog. [...] Read more.

Different risk factors for atrial fibrillation (AF) development have been identified in numerous studies on humans, but this information is less clearly available on the dog. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the risk factors for AF in the dog. Following the PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we conducted a comprehensive search using the Web of Science and Scopus databases for articles reporting on cases of spontaneously occurring AF in dogs. The level of evidence was assessed using the Evidence Quality Grading System of the National Institute of Health. One thousand forty-three studies were initially identified, and twenty of them were included in this systematic review involving 2,359,275 dogs, of which 4807 showed spontaneously occurring AF. Genetics, for the Irish Wolfhound, increased body weight, and left atrial enlargement were the main risk factors for the development of AF in dogs with different cardiac diseases, particularly myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). However, some differences were found between these two cardiac diseases regarding additional risk factors. In particular, the presence of congestive heart failure and echocardiographic evidence of increased left atrial pressure or the presence of right atrial enlargement emerged as risk factors in dogs with MMVD or DCM, respectively. Furthermore, significant differences in risk factors were observed between dogs and humans. In particular, advanced age and male sex are not reliable indicators of an increased risk of AF in dogs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Animal Cardiovascular Disease)

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11 pages, 48330 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Progressive Right Ventricular Obstruction Caused by a Double-Chambered Right Ventricle Resulting in Shunt-Reversal via a Concomitant Congenital Ventricular Septal Defect and Subsequent Erythrocytosis in a Dog

by Viktor Szatmári, Mark Dirven and Heike Aupperle-Lellbach

Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(3), 174; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10030174 - 21 Feb 2023

Viewed by 2605

Abstract

A 3-year-old Chihuahua was presented because of exercise intolerance, respiratory distress, and syncopal episodes. At the age of 10 weeks, the dog was diagnosed with a congenital small left-to-right shunting ventricular septal defect and a mild right ventricular outflow tract obstruction via echocardiography. [...] Read more.

A 3-year-old Chihuahua was presented because of exercise intolerance, respiratory distress, and syncopal episodes. At the age of 10 weeks, the dog was diagnosed with a congenital small left-to-right shunting ventricular septal defect and a mild right ventricular outflow tract obstruction via echocardiography. At that time, the dog was asymptomatic, but the breeder’s veterinarian heard a murmur. Both cardiac defects were judged to be clinically non-relevant at that time. However, at 3 years of age, echocardiography revealed a severe right ventricular obstruction, known as a double-chambered right ventricle, along with right-to-left shunting via the ventricular septal defect. Because of chronic hypoxemia due to the right-to-left shunting, erythrocytosis developed. Flow reversal via the shunt was caused by a progressively worsening right ventricular obstruction leading to a supra-systemic right ventricular systolic pressure. Because of the poor prognosis, the dog was euthanized, and the heart was submitted for post-mortem examination. Gross pathologic findings revealed the close proximity of the right ventricular obstructive lesion to the ventricular septal defect. Histopathology revealed localized muscular hypertrophy and severe endocardial fibrosis. The suspected pathogenesis of the progressive obstruction was infiltrative myocardial fibrosis due to turbulent blood flow from the left-to-right shunting ventricular septal defect, as described in humans. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Animal Cardiovascular Disease)

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13 pages, 4080 KiB

Open AccessCase Report

Successful Clindamycin Therapy of an Infected Subcutaneous Permanent Pacing Lead in a Dog after a Failed Course with Potentiated Amoxicillin and Enrofloxacin

by Viktor Szatmári, Astrid M. van Dongen, Mauricio Tobón Restrepo, Marjolein L. den Toom and Niels Jongejan

Vet. Sci. 2023, 10(2), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci10020093 - 26 Jan 2023

Viewed by 2458

Abstract

Though permanent pacemaker implantation is the only effective therapy for certain bradyarrhythmias in dogs, it is not without risks. Bacterial infection of the device is one of the most common complications. Human guidelines recommend besides systemic antibiotics, surgical explantation of the pacing lead [...] Read more.

Though permanent pacemaker implantation is the only effective therapy for certain bradyarrhythmias in dogs, it is not without risks. Bacterial infection of the device is one of the most common complications. Human guidelines recommend besides systemic antibiotics, surgical explantation of the pacing lead and pulse generator in case of device-infection. This report describes a 13.5-year-old dog that received a transvenous endocardial permanent pacemaker because of syncopal episodes resulting from paroxysmal third-degree atrio-ventricular block. Five days after an uneventful surgery, a painful swelling appeared around the subcutaneous part of the lead where this was inserted into the jugular vein. A 4-week course of amoxicillin and clavulanic acid combined with enrofloxacin failed to clear the infection on long-term. Ultrasound-guided puncture of the abscess was performed to gain a sample for bacterial culture and antibiogram. Oral clindamycin of 4 weeks’ duration successfully resolved the infection with Staphylococcus aureus without having to explant the device. Repeated ultrasonographic examinations and fine-needle aspiration biopsies were used to evaluate for persistent local inflammation, guiding the length of the antibiotic therapy. Though the described approach has traditionally been ill-advised because of the risk of introducing bacteria and damaging the pacemaker lead, it was successful in our case. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Small Animal Cardiovascular Disease)

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