The Cardiology Service at Canada West Veterinary Specialists is enrolling patients in a clinical study aiming at evaluating the:
Acute effects of pimobendan on proinflammatory citokines, endothelin, circulating natriuretic peptides, troponin and myocardial perfusion in dogs with decompensated Chronic Degenerative Valve Disease.
Study Design:
- Multicenter, randomized, single blind, placebo-controlled, prospective study
- The Canada West Vets Specialists site will enroll 10 dogs
- The study design was approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee at Kansas State University
- Duration of the study: 1 week
- Enrollment will continue at Canada West Vets Specialists until a minimum of 10 patients is reached
Inclusion criteria:
- BW < or = 20 kg
- CDVD with past evidence of cardiogenic pulmonary edema documented on chest radiographs and past history of clinical signs of L-CHF
NOTE: The Investigators will review all the radiographs prior to approving patient inclusion - Dogs must be treated with enalapril and furosemide for at least 30 days prior to enrollment. No other drugs are allowed such as: Spironolactone, digoxin, hydrochlorothiazide, etc.
- Informed consent form signed by Owner and commitment to return in 7 days to complete data collection
Exclusion criteria:
- BW > 20 kg
- Systemic hypertension or severe pulmonary hypertension
- Congenital heart defects or other acquired cardiovascular disorders (ie. endocarditis, DCM), atrial fibrillation
- Clinically significant systemic diseases (ie. hypothyroidism or chronic renal insufficiency)
Study protocol:
Day 1: all dogs will undergo a physical examination, blood pressure measurement, chest radiographs, and a complete echocardiogram, including evaluation of myocardial perfusion and pulmonary transit time. Ten mls of blood will also be collected by jugular venipuncture. Dogs will then be randomly assigned to either:
- Control group: will stay on enalapril and furosemide
- Pimobendan group: will receive pimobendan from Day 1, in addition to enalapril and furosemide
Day 7: all dogs will undergo a physical examination, blood pressure measurement, and a complete echocardiogram, including evaluation of myocardial perfusion and pulmonary transit time. Ten mls of blood will also be collected by jugular venipuncture.
At this time, dogs in the control group will be offered the option of receiving pimobendan
The investigator(s) will remain blinded to patient group allocation until data collection/interpretation is completed
Benefits to the Owners:
The study will offer the below listed services (see table), including 3 months worth of pimobendan (Vetmedin®) treatment, for a total of $1,255 + HST. We are only asking a contribution from the client of $250.00. This means that Owners of enrolled dogs will receive services and medications worth over $ 1,000.00 + HST
| Services offered | Day 1 | Day 7 |
| Consultation, including blood pressure | $250 | $105 |
| Two-view CXRs | $140 | |
| Complete Echocardiogram | $350 | $220 |
| Vetmedin® for 3 months | Approx. $190 (depending on BW) | |
| TOTAL | Approx. $1,255+HST | |
Please call CWVS and ask to talk with Tanya Crocker regarding the “Pimobendan Study”