The left ventricular diameter (LVDs) index was the strongest prognostic indicator for survival in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (P=0.0067).
What clinical signs and diagnostic findings are associated with survival time in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy?
The LVDs-index, along with pulmonary edema, VPCs, higher creatinine, lower protein, and Great Dane breed, are significant negative prognostic indicators for survival in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy.
Absolute Event Rate: 0% vs 0%
O bjective : To review the association between clinical signs and diagnostic findings and the survival time of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and any influence of treatment prescribed. M ethods : A retrospective observational study of 367 dogs with DCM. Survival times until death or euthanasia for cardiac reasons were analysed using the Kaplan–Meier method plus univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models. Two‐tailed P values less than 0·05 were considered statistically significant. R esults : In the multivariate model, left ventricular diameter (LVDs)‐index (P=0·0067), presence of pulmonary oedema on radio‐graphy (P=0·043), presence of ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) (P=0·0012), higher plasma creatinine (P=0·0002), lower plasma protein (P=0·029) and great Dane breed (P=0·0003) were negatively associated with survival. Most dogs were treated with angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (93%) or furosemide (86%), and many received digoxin (50%) and/or pimobendan (30%). Thirteen dogs were lost to follow‐up. No conclusions could be made in this study on the association between use of drugs and survival. C linical S ignificance : The LVDs‐index was the single best variable for assessing the prognosis in this group of dogs with DCM. Other variables that were negatively associated with survival were presence of pulmonary oedema on radiography, presence of VPCs, higher plasma creatinine, lower plasma protein and great Dane breed.
Martin et al. (Thu,) reported a other. The left ventricular diameter (LVDs) index was the strongest prognostic indicator for survival in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (P=0.0067).