Renal Resistive Index in 55 Dogs with Degenerative Mitral Valve Disease

Background: Azotemia occurs frequently in dogs with degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD). It could indicate changes in renal hemodynamics. Hypothesis/Objectives: To assess the renal resistive index (RI) in dogs with DMVD, and the statistical link between heart failure class, azotemia, echo-Doppler parameters, several plasma variables, and RI. Animals: Fifty-five dogs with naturally occurring DVMD were used (ISACHC class 1 [n = 28], 2 [n = 19], and 3 [n = 8]). Methods: Observational, blinded study, performed under standardized conditions. Physical examination, renal ultrasonography, and echo-Doppler examinations were performed in awake dogs. The RI of the renal, interlobar, and arcuate arteries were measured. Plasma creatinine, urea, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentrations (NTproBNP) were determined. Statistical links between variables and RI were tested by means of a general linear model. Results: Although the RI of renal and arcuate arteries were unaffected by ISACHC class, the left interlobar RI increased (P < .001) from 0.62 +/- 0.05 (mean +/- SD) in class 1 to 0.76 +/- 0.08 in class 3. It was also higher (P < .001) in azotemic (0.74 +/- 0.08) than in non-azotemic (0.62 +/- 0.05) dogs. Similar findings were observed for right interlobar RI. Univariate analysis showed a positive statistical link between NT-proBNP (P = .002), urea (P < .001), creatinine (P = .002), urea-to-creatinine ratio (P < .001), left atrium-to-aorta ratio (P < .001), regurgitation fraction (P < .001), systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (P < .001), shortening fraction (P = .035), and RI. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: In dogs with DMVD, interlobar RI increases with heart failure severity and azotemia but a cause and effect relationship remains to be established.