Hemostatic Markers in Congestive Heart Failure Dogs with Mitral Valve Disease

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Cardiology
• Hematology

Background:

• Mitral valve disease (MVD) is common in dogs and can lead to congestive heart failure (CHF).
• Hemostatic balance is crucial for preventing thrombosis, especially in cardiac conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate hemostatic and hemorheological parameters in dogs with CHF secondary to MVD.
• To compare these parameters between affected dogs and healthy controls.
• To correlate these parameters with the functional class of CHF.

Main Methods:

• Blood samples were collected from 58 dogs with CHF and MVD, and 50 control dogs.
• Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen, D-dimer, antithrombin III (AT III), protein C (PC), factor VII (F.VII), factor VIII (F.VIII), hematocrit (HCT), platelet count (PLT), total plasma protein (TP), and albumin (ALB) were measured.
• Statistical analysis was performed to compare groups and assess correlations.

Main Results:

• Dogs with MVD and CHF showed significant differences in most measured variables compared to controls (except APTT).
• Higher functional classes of CHF correlated with increased fibrinogen and D-dimer levels.
• Higher functional classes correlated with decreased AT III and PC activities.
• Total plasma protein (TP) showed a positive linear correlation with fibrinogen, D-dimer, HCT, and PLT.

Conclusions:

• Elevated fibrinogen and D-dimer levels in CHF dogs with MVD may predispose to hypercoagulability by increasing blood viscosity.
• Hemorheological abnormalities contribute to a prothrombotic state in these patients.
• These findings highlight the complex interplay between cardiac disease and hemostasis in dogs.