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Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Isolation of Atrial Myocytes from Adult Mice
Published on: July 25, 2019
Plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentration in healthy retired racing Greyhounds
Kristen M Couto1, M Cristina Iazbik2, Liliana M Marín1
1Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA.
Background:
N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) is a cardiac biomarker whose plasma concentration is high in some dogs with cardiopulmonary disease. NT-proBNP is a diagnostic tool that can be used to help determine if a patient has congestive heart failure. Greyhounds have functional heart murmurs, relative cardiomegaly, and high serum cTnI concentration.
Objectives:
The purpose of the study was to evaluate the plasma concentration of NT-proBNP in healthy Greyhounds and compare it to non-Greyhound dogs.
Methods:
We prospectively evaluated healthy client-owned dogs including retired racing Greyhounds and non-Greyhounds. Plasma was obtained and transferred into tubes containing a protease inhibitor and submitted for a specific NT-proBNP ELISA assay.
Results:
The plasma NT-proBNP concentration in Greyhounds was significantly higher than in non-Greyhound control dogs (946 vs 632 pmol/L; P < .005); 46% of Greyhounds had NT-proBNP > 1000 pmol/L.
Conclusions:
Plasma NT-proBNP concentration in Greyhounds is high and should be interpreted with caution.
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