• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2009

Pimobendan is a recently developed cardiac drug which is useful to control moderate to severe congestive heart failure (CHF) from chronic mitral valvular diseases (CMVI). Because of controversy related to the efficacy and safety of pimobendan in dogs, the optimal efficacy and safety of pimobendan was assessed in 20 dogs with CMVI in this study. Scores for quality of life, respiratory failure, circulatory failure and heart failure were evaluated along with radiographical and echocardiographical assessments for about 2 months period after the addition of pimobendan into the regular cardiac medications. This study proved clear evidence that pimobendan had beneficial therapeutic effects in dogs with advanced CMVI, without particular adverse effects. However, further studies are warranted to address the drug interaction with other cardiac therapeutics and to assess therapeutic effects in CHF from other type of heart diseases in dogs and other animals.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.151-158
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• 2013

This study aimed to evaluate the plasma concentration of NT-proBNP in dogs with different stages of heart failure by chronic mitral valve insufficiency (CMVI). Fifty small-breed dogs with CMVI and 7 healthy control dogs without cardiac disease and critical systemic diseases were included in the study population. As a preliminary study, we compared the plasma concentrations of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and the echocardiographic parameters between dogs of the International Small Animal Cardiac Health Council (ISACHC) classes. Then, we evaluated the associations between NT-proBNP and echocardiographic parameters. Plasma NT-proBNP levels showed a significant difference among the ISACHC groups. In the comparison between echocardiographic parameters and NT-proBNP, NT-proBNP were found to be associated with left atrium/aorta (LA/AO), early diastolic transmitral flow (E) velocity, late diastolic transmitral flow (A) velocity, end diastolic volume index (EDVI). Our study found plasma NT-proBNP might be useful to predict the disease progression in dogs with CMVI.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.5-8
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• 2015

D-dimer is a fibrin degradation product (FDP), a small protein fragment present in the blood after a blood clot is degraded by fibrinolysis. D-dimer concentration is widely used for determining thrombosis and thromboembolism. Because one major cause of thromboembolism is congestive heart failure in human, we investigated the degree and risk of thromboembolism in dogs with different stage of congestive heart failure caused by chronic mitral valvular insufficiency (CMVI). The plasma level of d-dimer was evaluated in 20 healthy dogs and 30 dogs with different stage of congestive heart failure caused by CMVI. The d-dimer concentrations were measured by a commercialized assay kit. The plasma levels of d-dimer were not significantly different between healthy and CMVI dogs. Furthermore, there was no association of d-dimer concentrations to left atrium to aorta (LA/Ao) ratio, left ventricular dimension at diastole to aorta (LVIDd/Ao) ratio and severity of heart failure in our study population. Our study results implied that the degree of thromboembolism in canine heart failure might be minimal or the plasma d-dimer test might not be reliable for detecting thromboembolism in dogs.

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.410-414
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• 2016

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.280-285
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• 2016

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.214-220
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• 2016

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.349-353
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• 2016

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.367-370
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• 2014

The study was to observe hemodynamic alterations of cardiac function to design a model of canine mitral valve insufficiency (MVI) based on chordae tendinae rupture (CTR). Ten healthy beagles with normal heart function were used in this study. To measure hemodynamics, the patient monitor was equipped for invasive blood pressure and a Swan-Ganz catheter. Hemodynamic alterations were checked promptly during CTR procedures. MVI model was made by transection of the chordae tendinae with small arthroscopy hook knife through $5^{th}$ intercostal open chest. Color Doppler at the level of the mitral valve showed high-velocity regurgitant flow immediately after CTR at intraoperative echocardiography. In hemodynamic measurements, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) was significantly increased, while mean arterial pressure (MAP), venous pressure (VP), pulmonary arterial pressure (PAP), cardiac output (CO) and cardiac index (CI) were significantly decreased after CTR. It was known that the left atrium was overloaded by regurgitant volume from the left ventricle. In conclusion, the MVI model induced by CTR technique in this study should be used as suitable one for the effective research of canine mitral valve disease. Further study should be needed to measure the chronic alternation of mitral valve in the model.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.163-169
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• 2014

Glucose metabolism abnormalities secondary to heart failure, including insulin resistance (IR) and impaired fasting glucose, have been gradually recognized as important prognostic factors in disease progression. However, to date, no study has investigated glucose abnormalities in dogs with chronic mitral valve insufficiency (CMVD). Thus, we hypothesized that glucose metabolism abnormalities due to heart failure may develop in dogs with CMVD. A prospective study was performed on 113 client-owned dogs with variable CMVD severities. Serum insulin, glucagon, fructosamine, and glucose concentrations were measured, and insulin resistance was determined using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) score. The serum insulin concentration had a significant inverse association with the heart failure severity. However, there was no significant association between the heart failure severity and fructosamine, HOMA score, and fasting blood glucose. Insulin, fructosamine, and HOMA had a significant positive association with body condition scores (BCS), whereas glucose had no association. This study found that insulin secretion in dogs with naturally occurring heart failure due to CMVD might be compromised as the disease worsens.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.416-421
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• 2012

A 10-year-old 4-kg spayed female Chihuahua with severe congestive heart failure was referred for surgical treatment. Through several examinations, the dog was diagnosed as severe mitral regurgitation (MR) and moderate TR. Because of the poor prognosis associated with continuation of medical management, surgical repair of the mitral valve was considered as the treatment option for the dog. The mitral valve repair was performed undergoing cardio pulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit. However after mitral repair, the dog was died without recovery from anesthesia. Many risk factors associated with failure of cardiac surgery are included CPB management, hypothermia, organ dysfunction, hemorrhage, hypotension, electrolyte & acid base imbalance, and infection. Although the dog is died from the operation, it is an important to reveal the factors of failure in veterinary clinic. From the case report, causes of failure of mitral valve repair can be considered from the failure of oxygenation and gas exchange by hypothermia and serious hypotension with low heart rate by low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS). Through the several considerations from this case, it is known that coming cardiac surgery for mitral valve repair is required to be more careful for successful operation. Further it can be brought to increase success rate in further operation.