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Using Cardiac Biomarkers in Veterinary Practice
1Section of Cardiology, Department of Clinical Studies-Philadelphia, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, 3900 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Insights
Cardiac biomarker testing aids in diagnosing heart disease in pets. Assays like cardiac troponin-I and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide help identify disease and assess patient risk.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Cardiology
- Clinical Pathology
Background:
- Blood-based cardiac biomarker assays are valuable tools in veterinary medicine.
- Cardiac troponin-I and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide are key biomarkers for assessing cardiac health in animals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utility of cardiac biomarker testing in canine and feline cardiology.
- To highlight the role of biomarkers in diagnosing heart disease, differentiating causes of respiratory distress, and detecting preclinical conditions.
Main Methods:
- Review of current scientific literature on cardiac biomarker assays in veterinary medicine.
- Analysis of the application of cardiac troponin-I and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide testing in clinical practice.
Main Results:
- Cardiac biomarker testing aids in differentiating cardiac from non-cardiac causes of respiratory signs.
- Biomarker assays facilitate the early detection of preclinical cardiomyopathy.
- Testing can help evaluate the risk of morbidity and mortality in animals with heart disease.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac biomarker testing is an increasingly important diagnostic and prognostic tool in veterinary cardiology.
- Effective use requires proper patient selection, accurate result interpretation, and integration into diagnostic workflows.
Abstract:
Blood-based assays for various cardiac biomarkers can assist in the diagnosis of heart disease in dogs and cats. The two most common markers are cardiac troponin-I and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide. Biomarker assays can assist in differentiating cardiac from noncardiac causes of respiratory signs and detection of preclinical cardiomyopathy. Increasingly, studies indicate that cardiac biomarker testing can help assess the risk of morbidity and mortality in animals with heart disease. Usage of cardiac biomarker testing in clinical practice relies on proper patient selection, correct interpretation of test results, and incorporation of biomarker testing into existing diagnostic methods.
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