Correlation of serum cardiac troponin I and acute phase protein concentrations with clinical staging in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease

Background Cardiac troponin I ( cTnI ) correlates with severity of myocardial injury. Nonspecific inflammation in congestive heart failure ( CHF ) could be assessed by C‐reactive protein ( CRP ), haptoglobin (Hp), and ceruloplasmin (Cp) measurements. Objectives The aim of the study was to determine whether serum cTnI , CRP , Hp, and Cp concentrations differ among various stages of mitral valve disease ( MVD ) in dogs. Materials and methods Dogs with MVD were allocated to 3 groups (I – asymptomatic; II – mild to moderate CHF ; III advanced CHF ) according to the scheme of the International Small Animal Cardiac Healthy Council ( ISACHC ). Concentrations of cTnI , CRP , Cp, and Hp were measured in all dogs upon admission, and cTnI and CRP were measured bimonthly during a 4‐month follow‐up period. Results In total 46 dogs with MVD were enrolled for the cross‐sectional part (21 Group I, 11 Group II , 14 Group III ), and 35 dogs were included in the longitudinal study. Initial mean Cp concentrations were similar among all groups. There was a statistically significant difference in Hp and CRP concentrations between group I ( n  = 21, P  =   .019) and III ( n  = 14, P  <   .001). There was a statistically significant decrease in CRP ( P =  .033) and cTnI ( P  =   .009) concentrations over the longitudinal study (all groups). CRP concentrations were significantly higher in group I than III ( P  =   .004). During the 6‐month monitoring period of 35 dogs, there was a statistically significant positive correlation between cTnI and CRP ( P  <   .001). Conclusion Differences in CRP concentrations between clinical stages of MVD suggest a clinically and therapeutically relevant inflammatory component.