Improved Ca release synchrony following selective modification of I and phase 1 repolarization in normal and failing ventricular myocytes.

Loss of ventricular action potential (AP) early phase 1 repolarization may contribute to the impaired Ca release and increased risk of sudden cardiac death in heart failure. Therefore, restoring AP phase 1 by augmenting the fast transient outward K current (I) might be beneficial, but direct experimental evidence to support this proposition in failing cardiomyocytes is limited. Dynamic clamp was used to selectively modulate the contribution of I to the AP and Ca transient in both normal (guinea pig and rabbit) and in failing rabbit cardiac myocytes.

Training the equine respiratory muscles: Inspiratory muscle strength.

Background: Little is known about the response of the equine respiratory muscles to training.

Objectives: To measure an index of inspiratory muscle strength (IMSi) before and after a period of conventional exercise training (phase 1) and inspiratory muscle training (IMT), comparing high-load (treatment) and low-load (control) groups (phase 2).

Study Design: Prospective randomised controlled trial.

The microvascular endothelial glycocalyx: An additional piece of the puzzle in veterinary medicine.

The endothelial glycocalyx (eGlx) is a critically important structure lining the luminal surface of endothelial cells. There is increasing evidence, in human patients and animal models, for its crucial role in the maintenance of health. Moreover, its damage is associated with the pathogenesis of multiple disease states.

Circulating hyaluronan as a marker of endothelial glycocalyx damage in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease and dogs in a hypercoagulable state.

The endothelial glycocalyx (eGlx) lines the luminal surface of endothelial cells, maintaining vascular health. Glycocalyx damage is pathophysiologically important in many diseases across species however few studies have investigated its breakdown in naturally occurring disease in dogs. The aims of the study were to investigate eGlx damage in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) diagnosed on echocardiography, and dogs in a hypercoagulable state diagnosed using thromboelastography (TEG), by measuring serum hyaluronan concentrations.

Training the equine respiratory muscles: Ultrasonographic measurement of muscle size.

Background: Limited information exists regarding changes in the size of respiratory and locomotor muscles in response to exercise training in the Thoroughbred racehorse.

Objectives: To describe and compare the responses of the respiratory and locomotor muscles to conventional exercise training and inspiratory muscle training (IMT).

Study Design: Prospective randomised controlled trial.

Prevalence of ultrasonographic gastrointestinal wall changes in dogs with acute pancreatitis: A retrospective study (2012-2020).

Background: Ultrasonographic gastrointestinal wall changes in dogs with acute pancreatitis (AP) are not well characterized in the literature. No detailed studies have described their prevalence, characteristics, distribution, or clinical relevance.

Hypothesis/objectives: Describe the prevalence of ultrasonographic gastrointestinal wall changes in a population of dogs with AP and evaluate for associations between the presence of gastrointestinal wall changes and clinical or clinicopathological variables.

Effect of preoperative administration of atenolol to dogs with pulmonic stenosis undergoing interventional procedures.

Background: Beta-blockade is sometimes used in dogs with pulmonic stenosis with the intent of reducing frequency of ventricular arrhythmias during right heart catheterization.

Objectives: To evaluate if pretreatment with atenolol reduces frequency of ventricular arrhythmias, anesthetist interventions, or shortens procedure time.

Animals: Thirty dogs with pulmonic stenosis scheduled for interventional procedures.

Evaluation of serum cardiac troponin-I concentrations for diagnosis of infective endocarditis in dogs.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) in dogs is associated with severe disease and a high case fatality rate but often presents with nonspecific clinical signs.

Hypothesis/objectives: Serum concentration of cardiac troponin-I (cTnI) is elevated in dogs with IE and can differentiate dogs with IE from dogs with other diseases with similar clinical features. Concentration of serum cTnI is negatively correlated with survival time in dogs with IE.

The equine diaphragm: A novel technique for repeatable ultrasound measurement.

The diaphragm is an important respiratory muscle, playing a key role during exercise. In humans, diaphragm thickness increases in response to training and is correlated with inspiratory strength. In order to assess respiratory strength in the horse, new evaluation techniques are required and measurement of diaphragm thickness, in a non-invasive and repeatable manner, is a possible approach.

Focused cardiac ultrasound and point-of-care NT-proBNP assay in the emergency room for differentiation of cardiac and noncardiac causes of respiratory distress in cats.

Objective: To assess the accuracy of focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) and point-of-care N-terminal proBNP assay in the emergency setting for differentiation of cardiac from noncardiac causes of respiratory distress in cats.

Design: Prospective diagnostic accuracy study between 2014 and 2016.

Setting: Emergency room at an urban university teaching hospital.

Investigation of focused cardiac ultrasound in the emergency room for differentiation of respiratory and cardiac causes of respiratory distress in dogs.

Objective: To determine whether focused cardiac ultrasound (FOCUS) performed by emergency and critical care (ECC) specialists or residents in training improves differentiation of cardiac (C) versus non-cardiac (NC) causes of respiratory distress in dogs compared to medical history and physical examination alone.

Design: Prospective cohort study (May 2014 to February 2016).

Setting: University hospital.

Effect of prespecified therapy escalation on plasma NT-proBNP concentrations in dogs with stable congestive heart failure due to myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Background: Treatment targeted to achieve reduction in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) improves outcomes in human congestive heart failure (CHF) patients.

Hypothesis: A pre-specified therapeutic algorithm that increased diuretic or pimobendan usage will reduce plasma NT-proBNP concentrations in dogs with CHF secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).

Animals: Twenty-six dogs with clinically stable CHF secondary to MMVD.

Sample Size Determination for Evaluation of Time Domain Heart Rate Variability Indices in Canine Lameness.

Heart rate variability (HRV) is a physiologic phenomenon that occurs due to changing autonomic tone resulting in variable RR intervals. A reduction in HRV is used as an index of pain in neonatal human patients. Objective measures of pain would be valuable in the evaluation of canine patients and assessment of response to pain management strategies.

The effects of storage conditions on measurements of canine N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide.

Objectives: The study aims were to assess the temporal stability following storage at room temperature, the effect of up to 4 freeze-thaw cycles and the effect of simulated freezer failure on measurements of canine N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in serum and protease-inhibited (PI) plasma.

Animals: Twenty-five blood samples were collected from 16 dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Methods: Aliquots of canine serum and PI plasma were stored at room temperature (17-26 °C) for 30 min, 6, 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively.

Associations between N-terminal procollagen type III, fibrosis and echocardiographic indices in dogs that died due to myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Objectives: To evaluate associations between N-terminal procollagen type III (PIIINP), a serum biomarker of collagen biosynthesis, and myocardial fibrosis in dogs with naturally-occurring myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).

Animals: Twenty-two dogs with echocardiographically-confirmed MMVD were prospectively recruited from a hospital population. All died as a result of MMVD and their hearts were available for post mortem examination.

Associations among serum N-terminal procollagen type III concentration, urinary aldosterone-to-creatinine ratio, and ventricular remodeling in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Objective: To assess relationships among serum N-terminal procollagen type III concentration, urinary aldosterone-to-creatinine concentration ratio (UAC), and clinical variables in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and healthy dogs.

Animals: 162 dogs with MMVD and 24 healthy control dogs of comparable age and body weight.

Procedures: Blood and urine samples were collected from each dog.

Ultrasonographic measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation in dogs with chronic valvular disease.

Objectives: To measure flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) in healthy dogs and in client-owned dogs with chronic valvular disease (CVD) and to investigate possible correlations between markers of CVD severity and FMD.

Animals: Twelve dogs with CVD and 11 healthy weight-matched dogs.

Methods: Brachial artery FMD following 5 min inflation of a cuff around the antebrachium was measured in 12 dogs with CVD and 11 healthy weight-matched dogs.

Selected echocardiographic variables change more rapidly in dogs that die from myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Objectives: To determine if echocardiographic measurements change at a greater rate in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) that die of cardiac mortality.

Animals: Client-owned dogs (n = 242) with MMVD of varying severity were recruited from first opinion private practice. Only dogs which died during the study period (n = 102) were included in statistical analyses.

Gerbode defect associated with blunt trauma in a dog.

A 6 year-old Labrador retriever was presented after being struck by a car. A ventricular arrhythmia, attributed to myocardial trauma, developed 12 h post-trauma. Echocardiography revealed lesions consistent with a subaortic paramembranous ventricular septal defect (VSD) with shunting of blood from the left ventricle to the right atrium (Gerbode defect).

The effect of protease inhibition on the temporal stability of NT-proBNP in feline plasma at room temperature.

Objectives: To evaluate whether the addition of a protease inhibitor (PI) to feline plasma improves the temporal stability of N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).

Animals, Materials And Methods: Forty-four EDTA blood samples were collected from 42 cats with cardiac disease or hyperthyroidism. Samples were separated within 15 min of collection and the plasma stored at -80 °C.