Systemic Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction in Dogs with Congestive Heart Failure

Background Congestive heart failure (CHF) is associated with endothelial dysfunction in people and in dogs with experimentally induced CHF, but this is not well characterized in dogs with naturally occurring CHF. Hypothesis/Objectives To evaluate endothelial function via assessment of reactive hyperemia (RH) in healthy dogs and dogs with CHF, and to assess for relationships with plasma biomarkers of vascular function and clinical markers of disease severity. Animals Twenty client-owned animals with CHF due to myxomatous mitral valve disease (n similar to=similar to 15) or dilated cardiomyopathy (n similar to=similar to 5) and 17 healthy control dogs. Methods Prospective case-controlled observational study. Dogs underwent blood sampling, echocardiography, and Doppler assessment of brachial artery velocity (VTI) at baseline and during reactive hyperemia (RH-VTI). RH-VTIs between control dogs and dogs with CHF were compared, and the relationships between RH-VTI, clinical parameters, and plasma biomarkers were assessed. Results Dogs with CHF (96.5 similar to +/-similar to 51.7%) had an attenuated % increase in VTI during RH compared to healthy controls (134.8 similar to +/-similar to 58.7%; P similar to=similar to.04). Increasing ISACHC class (R2 similar to=similar to 0.24; P similar to=similar to.004), plasma NT-proBNP (R2 similar to=similar to 0.15; P similar to=similar to.03) and CRP (R2 similar to=similar to 0.2; P similar to=similar to.02) were associated with reduced RH-VTI. Increased plasma CRP, NOx, and NT-proBNP concentrations were found in dogs with CHF (P similar to<similar to.02 for all). No differences were detected in other plasma markers. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Dogs with CHF have an attenuated RH response, and increased plasma CRP and NOx concentrations. Doppler assessment of RH velocity could represent a novel noninvasive method of evaluating endothelial function in the dog.