Study on Dogs with Asymptomatic Valvular Heart Disease
Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine's Cardiology
Department is participating in a multicenter clinical trial evaluating a new
medical therapy for symptom-free dogs with chronic valve disease.
The aim of the new medication is to delay the onset of congestive heart
failure in dogs with advanced but compensated chronic valve disease.
Enrolled patients will be randomized to placebo or the new cardiac
medication and followed for up to 4 years.
Qualifications
To qualify for the study, dogs must have chronic valve disease resulting
in a moderately loud mitral murmur (grade 3/6 or louder) and heart
enlargement on radiographs (vertebral heart score greater than 10.5).
The following patients are NOT candidates for this study
- Dogs already receiving furosemide, antiarrhythmic, ACE inhibitor, or
beta blocker therapy.
- Dogs with congestive heart failure (pulmonary edema, pleural
effusion, or ascites)
- Dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy
Study Pays
The study will pay for an initial visit (exam and echocardiogram) for a
patient to be evaluated at Washington State University College of Veterinary
Medicine for possible enrollment in the study. For enrolled
patients, the study will then cover cardiac medical costs for follow-up of
the patient. This will include clinic visits to Washington State
University College of Veterinary Medicine at 3 to 6 month intervals for
cardiac evaluations (diagnostics performed at follow-up visits may include
echocardiograms, chest radiographs, blood pressures and laboratory work).
Contacts
Please contact Dr. Kate Meurs (
Meurs@vetmed.wsu.edu)
or Becky Connors (
BConnors@vetmed.wsu.edu)
or 509-335-6038 for questions or patient referrals for this study.
