Dogs with Asymptomatic Valvular Heart Disease Needed for Clinical Trial
Date:
May 5, 2009 Contacts:
Ms. Lori Moran, ISU Veterinary Medical Center, (515) 294-4900, lmoran@iastate.edu
Dr. Wendy Ware, Veterinary Cardiologist, ISU Veterinary Medical Center, (515) 294-4900, waw@iastate.edu
Ms. Tracy Ann Raef, Veterinary Communications, (515) 294-4602
Iowa State University Veterinary Medical Center 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 four years.
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
- Dogs with hypertension (systolic BP > 180 mmHg)
The study will pay for an initial visit (exam and echocardiogram) for a patient to be evaluated by the Cardiology Department at the ISU Veterinary Medical Center for possible enrollment in the study. For enrolled patients, the study will then cover cardiac medical costs for follow-up of the patient during the study period. This will include clinic visits to the ISU Veterinary Medical Center 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).
Please contact Dr. Wendy Ware or Lori Moran at the ISU Veterinary Medical Center (515-294-4900, waware@iastate.edu, lmoran@iastate.edu ) for questions or patient referrals for this study.
*Dogs that are receiving an ACE inhibitor for AV valve disease but that have never experienced an episode of congestive heart failure signs may be eligible if the ACE inhibitor can be discontinued.
