3RD EPIC STUDY PUBLICATION
objective
The 3rd EPIC Study publication describes the changes in clinical and radiographic variables that occur as dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) and cardiomegaly develop congestive heart failure (CHF) compared with similar dogs that do not develop CHF.1
study design
- The EPIC Study was a prospective, multicentre, double-blinded, randomised, placebo-controlled study.2
PLACEBO-CONTROLLED
- At the end of the EPIC Study two groups were assessed for this publication, those that:
- The reference time point (Day 0) for the CHF group was onset of CHF and for the non-CHF group was the last visit before the end of the study.
- The following variables were evaluated:
(HR)
RATE (RRR) Measured at home by owner
TEMPERATURE (RT)
(BW)
SUM (VHS)
findings
As dogs with MMVD and cardiomegaly developed CHF, the following changes in clinical and radiographic variables were observed:
KEY TAKEAWAYS
15% (from 11.5 to 13.0)
(from 125 to 150 bpm)
BW decreased by 3%*
*Changes in BW and RT (at 4 and 2 months before the onset of CHF, respectively) were detectable at a population level but too small to be used
for monitoring for onset of CHF in an individual dog.
- • Results revealed RR and RRR show the most extreme changes and the increases occurred immediately before CHF.
STUDY CONCLUSIONS
The 3rd EPIC Study publication reinforces the value of clinical and radiographic variable assessment in dogs with MMVD and specifically RR and RRR as indicators of impending or incipient CHF.1 To start practising and perfecting vertebral heart sum (VHS) and vertebral left atrial size (VLAS) radiographic heart measurements CLICK HERE.
If RR and RRR are routinely and frequently measured in dogs with Stage B2 MMVD, it may be possible for the onset of CHF to be detected earlier, and therefore managed sooner and more effectively.1