Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common heart disease in dogs. However, prospectively acquired data describing the natural history and prognostic factors in a large population of dogs affected by this disease are sparse.
Thus, the Longitudinal Outcome of canine (K9) myxomatous mitral valve disease registry (LOOKmitral) was established to prospectively collect clinical and diagnostic data from a large population of dogs affected by MMVD. A total of 6,102 dogs were enrolled in the LOOK-mitral registry from November 1st, 2015, to October 31st, 2018, in thirteen cardiology specialty practices. We first described the baseline characteristics of the dogs enrolled in the registry, which mainly confirmed previous findings. Moreover, we provided new additional results, such as the presence of systolic dysfunction in some small breed dogs and how the intensity of the murmur correlates with the severity of MMVD also in large breed dogs. Second, we described the baseline treatment characteristics at the time of enrollment. These data showed that the results of the "Effect of Pimobendan in Dogs with Preclinical Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease and Cardiomegaly" (EPIC) trial and left atrial and left ventricular dimensions, assessed by echocardiography, influenced veterinary cardiologist's prescription of cardiovascular drugs in affected dogs. Lastly, we evaluated predictors of reoccurrence of congestive signs within 180 days after successfully treating the first episodes of heart failure in dogs enrolled in the LOOKMitral registry. While this study failed to identify accurate predictors of recurrence, dogs with larger left ventricular internal dimensions at end-diastole were more likely to present with reoccurrence of clinical signs suggesting that closer monitoring of these dogs may be recommended. / Doctor of Philosophy / Despite being the most common heart disease in dogs, data on a large group of dogs affected by myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) are currently sparse in veterinary medicine.
The Longitudinal Outcome Of canine (K9) Mitral valve disease (LOOK-Mitral) was established in 2015 to collect data on a large population of dogs affected by MMVD. A total of 6,102 dogs were enrolled in thirteen referral centers over three years. First, the baseline characteristics of dogs enrolled in the registry were described. These data mainly confirmed previous findings.
Moreover, they provided some new insight like the possible presence of contractile dysfunction in some small breed dogs and the correlation between the intensity of the heart murmur and the severity of the disease also in large breed dogs.
Second, we described the medical treatment prescribed or modified by veterinary cardiologists at the enrollment visit. These data showed that the "Effect of Pimobendan in Dogs with Preclinical Myxomatous Mitral Valve Disease and Cardiomegaly" (EPIC) trial, a clinical trial published during the enrollment period, and the heart ultrasound (echocardiography) data influence cardiologist prescription habits.
Lastly, we evaluated if any clinical or echocardiographic variable could predict the reoccurrence of clinical signs of heart failure within 180 days from the first manifestation of those clinical signs in dogs enrolled in the LOOK-Mitral registry. While this study failed to accurately identify predictors of reoccurrence, dogs with larger left ventricular chamber sizes were more likely to present reoccurrence of clinical signs suggesting that closer monitoring of these dogs may be recommended.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/110468 |
| Date | 07 June 2022 |
| Creators | Franchini, Alessandra |
| Contributors | Biomedical and Veterinary Sciences, Borgarelli, Michele, Lahmers, Sunshine M., Abbott, Jonathan A., Haggstrom, Jens Ulrik, Crosara, Serena, Huckle, William R. |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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