Cardiac troponlns T and l in dogs with congestive heart failure

T o date, in humans, cardiac troponin l (cTnl) and T (c TnT) are the most sensitive and specific markers of myocardial celi injury diagnosis. The aim of this study was to evaluate plasma cTnl and cTnT in dogs with congestive heart failure due to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Group 1: Ten dogs of different breeds an d echocardiographic diagnosis of DCM (ventricular dilatation and hypocontractile left ventricle in absence of primary valvular disease); heart failure grade was assessed according to ISACHC. Group 2: Ten dogs of different breeds judged to be free of heart disease based on: history, complete physical examination and electrocardiogram. Plasma eT n l was measured with a commercially available fluorogenic sandwich enzymatic immunoassay. Plasma cTnT.. was measured with an electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. The lower limit of detection was, respectively, 0.04 an d o.ot ng/ml. Descriptive statistics on age, sex, body weight, eT n l and c TnT were calculated. A paired t-test was used to compare cTnl and cTnT in both groups, in dogs with and without ECG abnormalities and between classes Il and IIIA. ' Correlations between cTnl and cTnT and left ventricular shortening fraction (SF%), left ventricular diastolic (LVDd) and systolic (LVDs) dimension were calculated (evaluated) by linear regression. P<o.os was considered significant : Group 1: seven breeds, ali males, media n age s.o years (range 2-13), mean b. w. 39 kg (range 14-70). Of these dogd · five were in class Il and five in class IIIA. In the group, five dogs showed atrial fìbrillation (AF). Group 2: six breeds' 7 males and 3 females, median age s.o years (range 2-11), mean b.w. 42 kg (range 20-65)- In group 2, plasm~ concentrations of cTnl and c TnT were undetectable. In group 1, plasma cTnl and cTnT values were above the lower limit in So% and 30% of dogs, respectively. Median value of cTnl was 0.22 ng/ml, P2o and P8o were <0.04 and o.9ng/ml respectively, range <o.04-2.01. Median value of c TnT was o.mng/ml, P2o and P8o were 0.01 and 0.02 ngf mi respectively, range 0.01-0.1. Plasma cTnl was significantly increased (P=o.o2) in group 1. There were no statistica! differences in cardiac troponins between dogs showing AF an d not, an d between classes 11 and IIIA. There were no correlation between cardiac troponins and echocardiographic parameters. In dogs with DCM, evaluation of cardiac troponins may have diagnostic and prognostic significance.