Association between Survival Time and Changes in NT ‐pro BNP in Cats Treated for Congestive Heart Failure

Background Reductions in N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide ( NT ‐pro BNP ) concentrations after treatment have been associated with improved survival in people with congestive heart failure ( CHF ), but have not been reported in cats with CHF . Objectives To evaluate changes in NT ‐pro BNP concentrations in cats with CHF after treatment and determine whether serial NT ‐pro BNP measurements provide prognostic information. Animals Thirty‐one client‐owned cats. Methods Prospective, observational study in cats with new onset CHF secondary to cardiomyopathy. Concentrations of NT ‐pro BNP were measured within 4 hours of admission to the hospital, on the day of discharge, and at re‐evaluation 7–10 days later. Results Median NT ‐pro BNP concentrations decreased significantly from admission (1,713 pmol/L [range, 160–3,784 pmol/L]) to discharge (902 pmol/L [range, 147–3,223 pmol/L]); P = .005) and from admission to re‐evaluation (1,124 pmol/L [range, 111–2,727 pmol/L]; P = .024). Median survival time was 109 days (range, 1–709 days), with 5 cats still alive at the time of analysis. Cats with a larger percent decrease in NT ‐pro BNP from admission to discharge had a longer survival time ( P = .048). Cats with evidence of active CHF at the time of re‐evaluation ( P = .010) and cats whose owners had difficulty administering medications ( P = .045) had shorter survival times. Conclusions and clinical importance Cats with a larger percent decrease in NT ‐pro BNP during hospitalization and no evidence of CHF at the time of re‐evaluation had longer survival times. Additional studies are needed to determine whether NT ‐pro BNP can help guide treatment in cats with CHF .