Plasma Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (proANP 31-67), B-type Natriuretic Peptide (Nt-proBNP) and endothelin (ET-1) concentrations in dogs with chronic degenerative valvular disease (CDVD).

In congestive heart failure neuroendocrine network activation is complex and is generally associated with worsening of hemodynamic status and severity of clinical findings. The aim of this research is to study Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (proANP), Brain Natriuretic Peptide (Nt-proBNP) and Endothelin-1 (ET-1) plasma concentrations in dogs affected by chronic degenerative valvular disease (CDVD) classified using the International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council functional scheme (ISACHC). CDVD was diagnosed in twenty-nine mixed, and pure breed, dogs on the basis of clinical examination, thoracic radiography, electrocardiography and echocardiography. Commercial enzyme-linked immunoassays validated for canine species were used to measure the neuroendocrine markers. Nt-proBNP and proANP levels increase in proportion to the severity of heart failure, although there was no statistical difference in the ANP plasma levels between ISACHC classes II and III. Significant difference in BNP plasma levels was observed among all the heart failure classes. Plasma ET-1 concentration increased in classes II and III compared to that of class Ib, but the increment was not progressive and no statistical differences were found between the different classes of heart failure considered. In conclusion, under our experimental conditions Nt-proBNP plasma levels were shown to be more useful than other cardiac biomarkers in assessing the severity of heart failure in dogs with CDVD, classified according to the ISACHC functional scheme.