Clinical Efficacy of Pimobendan Versus Benazepril for the Treatment of Acquired Atrioventricular Valvular Disease in Dogs

Abstract

Seventy-six dogs with clinical acquired atrioventricular valvular disease were evaluated to determine the efficacy of pimobendan (n=41) versus benazepril hydrochloride (n=35) in a randomized, positive-controlled, multicenter study. The study was divided into 56-day and long-term evaluation periods. In a subgroup of dogs with concurrent furosemide treatment (pimobendan [n=31], benazepril [n=25]), the Heart Insufficiency Score improved in favor of pimobendan (P=0.0011), equating to a superior overall efficacy rating (P<0.0001) at day 56. Long-term median survival (i.e., death or treatment failure) for dogs receiving pimobendan was 415 days versus 128 days for dogs not on pimobendan (P=0.0022).

Use of pimobendan in 170 cats (2006–2010)

“…Increased LVIDd was associated with increased survival, which is potentially unexpected, as progressive cardiac enlargement is associated with worsening heart disease. 11,13 Increased LVWd at baseline was associated with decreased survival, which was noted in one prior study of cats with hypertrophic heart disease, 28 and this association was true for HCM cats in this study as well. Initial LA size was not related to survival in this study, despite increased LA size usually being an indicator of worse cardiac disease and prior evidence suggesting that increased LA size is predictive of decreased survival.…”

“…The primary adverse effect seen in temporal association with the advent of pimobendan administration in these cats, unusual agitation, was also seen in some canine patients in previous studies. 11,13 The other adverse effects noted may have also resulted from administration of concurrent medications. Unusual agitation was the only side effect to be tested by withdrawing pimobendan and since the agitation stopped when the pimobendan was discontinued, it may be reasonably inferred that pimobendan was the source of the agitation, although it certainly could have been coincidence.…”

Use of the Vertebral Heart Score in Coughing Dogs with Chronic Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease

“…The above drugs may ameliorate clinical signs and improve both quality and quantity of life in symptomatic but not asymptomatic canine MVD [3,13,17]. Thus, precise evaluation and staging of dogs with MVD is mandatory before administering any therapeutic treatment.…”

Musical murmur in a dog with acute chordae tendineae rupture

“…This dog had mild clinical sign and showed no evidence of cardiac remodeling, and thus assigned to early course of ISACHC II. Generally, medical intervention is indicated when overt clinical signs of heart failure showed (ISACHC ≥ II) [3]. The dog excellently responded to therapy and intensity of murmur reduced due to decreased size of turbulent jet flow.…”

“…After treatment with furosemide and ramipril, clinical signs resolved and precordial thrill reduced. This case report describes typical clinical signs and phonocardiogram of musical murmur in a dog with acute chordae tendineae rupture.Keywords : chordae tendineae rupture, mitral valve disease, musical murmur Mitral valve disease (MVD) is the most common acquired heart disease in small breed-dogs and characterized by myxomatous valvular degeneration [3,5,6,7,8]. It results in mitral valve insufficiency creating systolic mitral regurgitation, which in turn leads to a left apical systolic murmur [7].…”