Keynote Message

Myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) is the most common heart disease in dogs. Pimobendan has been shown to increase survival in dogs with MMVD and signs of congestive heart failure (stage C). Furthermore, pimobendan was recently shown in the EPIC trial to prolong the preclinical period in dogs with MMVD and cardiomegaly, but with no signs of CHF (stage B2). No previous prospective study has described the change of clinical, laboratory, and heart size variables in a large cohort of dogs as they progress from stage B2 to stage C MMVD. The EPIC trial offers a unique opportunity to study the effects of pimobendan and disease progression on these variables in the short and long term in stage B2 MMVD dogs. Furthermore, the EPIC trial data allow characterization of the changes that occur as dogs progress from the preclinical stage of the disease into CHF. The results of the longitudinal data of the EPIC trial will be presented for the first time during this session.

Key References

1.  Häggström J, Boswood A, O'Grady M, et al. Effect of pimobendan or benazepril hydrochloride on survival times in dogs with congestive heart failure due to naturally occurring myxomatous mitral valve disease: the QUEST study. J Vet Intern Med. 2008:22;1124–1135.

2.  Häggström J, Boswood A, O'Grady M, et al. Longitudinal analysis of quality of life, clinical, radiographic, echocardiographic, and laboratory variables in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease receiving pimobendan or benazepril: The QUEST study. J Vet Intern Med. 2013;27:1441–1451.

3.  Boswood A, Häggström J, Gordon SGG, et al. Effect of pimobendan in dogs with preclinical myxomatous mitral valve disease and cardiomegaly: The EPIC study - A randomized clinical trial. J Vet Intern Med. 2016;30:1765–1779.