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Plasma N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide concentration in healthy retired racing Greyhounds
Author(s) -
Couto Kristen M.,
Iazbik M. Cristina,
Marín Liliana M.,
ZaldivarLópez Sara,
Beal Melissa J.,
Gómez Ochoa P.,
Couto C. Guillermo
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
veterinary clinical pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.537
H-Index - 51
eISSN - 1939-165X
pISSN - 0275-6382
DOI - 10.1111/vcp.12266
Subject(s) - medicine , natriuretic peptide , biomarker , heart failure , plasma concentration , endocrinology , cardiology , biology , biochemistry
Background N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide ( NT ‐pro BNP ) is a cardiac biomarker whose plasma concentration is high in some dogs with cardiopulmonary disease. NT ‐pro BNP is a diagnostic tool that can be used to help determine if a patient has congestive heart failure. Greyhounds have functional heart murmurs, relative cardiomegaly, and high serum cTnI concentration. Objectives The purpose of the study was to evaluate the plasma concentration of NT ‐pro BNP in healthy Greyhounds and compare it to non‐Greyhound dogs. Methods We prospectively evaluated healthy client‐owned dogs including retired racing Greyhounds and non‐Greyhounds. Plasma was obtained and transferred into tubes containing a protease inhibitor and submitted for a specific NT ‐pro BNP ELISA assay. Results The plasma NT ‐pro BNP concentration in Greyhounds was significantly higher than in non‐Greyhound control dogs (946 vs 632 pmol/L; P < .005); 46% of Greyhounds had NT ‐pro BNP > 1000 pmol/L. Conclusions Plasma NT ‐pro BNP concentration in Greyhounds is high and should be interpreted with caution.