Clinical features and outcome in 25 dogs with pulmonary hypertension treated with Sidenafil
Researchers evaluated twenty-five dogs with pulmonary hypertension, the median age was 12.4 years and most dogs were small breed (6.5kg.).
The study evaluated dogs that had confirmed moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension with Doppler echocardiography. The dogs were treated for 30 days with sildenafil, along with other medications deemed necessary. After 30 days, dogs returned to the hospital for repeat echocardiogram.
Syncope (64%), cough (56%), and respiratory difficulty (32%) were the most common presenting complaints. Respiratory diseases associated pulmonary hypertension included tracheobronchomalacia, pulmonary fibrosis, inflammatory airway disease, and brachycephalic syndrome, with multiple diseases in some dogs.
Eight of 25 dogs (32%) died or were euthanized within 1 month. In the remaining dogs, tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient and QOL scores were significantly improved after 1 month of sildenafil. Fifty percent mortality was reached 6 months after study entry, with 4 dogs alive 5 years after diagnosis.
Read more by clicking on the link: