BackgroundCats with pleural effusion represent common emergencies in small animal practice. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the diagnostic ability of a point-of-care ELISA (POC-ELISA) for the measurement of N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) to differentiate cardiac from non-cardiac disease in cats with pleural effusion. The sample material for use of this rapid test was either plasma or diluted pleural effusion.Twenty cats with moderate to severe pleural effusion were prospectively recruited. The cats were grouped into two groups, with or without congestive heart failure (CHF; N-CHF), after complete work-up. Blood and effusion were collected in EDTA tubes. Plasma and pleural effusion supernatants were transferred into stabilizer tubes and frozen. POC-ELISA for NT-proBNP was performed with plasma and diluted effusion (1:1). Quantitative NT-proBNP measurement was performed in plasma and diluted and undiluted effusions.ResultsSix cats were assigned to the CHF group. Of the 14 cats in the N-CHF group, 6 had concurrent cardiac abnormalities that were not responsible for the effusion. For the detection of CHF, the test displayed respective sensitivities and specificities of 100% and 79% in plasma and 100% and 86% in diluted pleural fluid. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for quantitative NT-proBNP measurement of plasma and diluted and undiluted pleural effusions displayed areas under the curve of 0.98, sensitivities of 100% and specificities of 86%. The optimum cut-off was calculated at 399 pmol/l in plasma and 229 pmol/l in the diluted effusion and 467 pmol/l in the undiluted effusion.ConclusionsPOC-ELISA for NT-proBNP in both plasma and diluted pleural effusion was suitable to differentiate cardiac from non-cardiac causes of feline pleural effusion. According to our results, use of pleural effusion is feasible, but dilution of the effusion before measurement seems to improve specificity.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12917-017-1319-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Background Catheter‐based occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) can be performed using different devices. Transvenous embolization using the Amplatzer vascular plug II (AVP‐II) has been studied in humans, but it has not been described in dogs. Objective Evaluate the feasibility and success of transvenous embolization of PDA using the AVP‐II in dogs. Animals Nineteen client‐owned dogs with left‐to‐right shunting PDA, with minimal ductal diameter >2.5 mm. Methods Prospective observational study using AVP‐II with transvenous access for PDA closure in dogs. Results Angiography showed a conical ductus with a long (n = 17) or short (n = 2) ampulla. The minimal diameter of the duct was 4.34 ± 1.11 mm, and the maximal diameter of the ampulla was 13.18 ± 3.47 mm. Technical success was achieved in 18 of the 19 (94.7%) patients after the first intervention and in all 19 (100%) patients after the second intervention. Postrelease angiography documented complete occlusion of the PDA in 10 of 19 (52.6%) dogs. Mild flow acceleration or stenosis of the left pulmonary artery was found in 6 and 1 of the 17 analyzed cases, respectively, by Doppler examination. The closure rate 24 hours after intervention was 94.7% (18/19). The remaining dog had a moderate residual shunt, and delayed complete closure after 3 months led to a 100% closure rate. Conclusion and Clinical Importance The AVP‐II is a safe and effective device for transvenous embolization in dogs with moderate to large PDA.
Synovial chondromatosis of the ankle is a rare condition, particularly secondary chondromatosis. In view of a possible traumatic pathogenesis, chondromatosis should be kept in mind in daily trauma and orthopedics practice. Diagnostic imaging gives a first indication. The key to differentiating between the primary and secondary forms is histological identification. This case shows the necessity of exact differentiation, even in cases of a causal link with a specific injury.
A 4-day-old female Holstein Friesian calf was presented for evaluation of cyanosis and dyspnea. On auscultation, severe bronchovesicular sounds and a systolic heart murmur of grade IV/VI above the tricuspid valve were found. On echocardiography, a marked dextroposition of the aorta (> 50% originating from the right ventricle), leading to both great arteries arising from the right ventricle - a so-called double-outlet right ventricle - was detected. Two ventricular septal defects were present, one in the perimembranous, subpulmonary region, the other non-committed in the muscular region. The subpulmonary ventricular septal defect was responsible for the shunting of unoxygenated blood into the aorta. Additionally, an aneurysma-like atrial septal defect (type secundum) and a large patent ductus arteriosus were visualized. The main pulmonary artery was severely enlarged without the presence of a stenotic defect. The findings could be verified by angiography. Additionally, a diffuse hypoplastic ascending aorta was visualized. Necropsy confirmed the echocardiographic and angiographic findings.
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