We are pleased to introduce new tests of cardiac function and damage for dogs, cats and horses.

ProBNP is a new test of ventricular dilatation which is assayed on serum and is now suitable as an add-on test to profile submissions.
Naturetic peptides are released in response to expanded extracellular fluid volume and are antagonistic to the actions of the rennin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Brain naturetic peptide (BNP) is produced predominantly by left ventricular myocardial cells in response to increased stretching. While the hormone itself has a short half life, proBNP, the pro-hormone, is stable in serum. Increased concentrations of the hormone are reported to correlate well with cardiac failure and interestingly do not appear to be increased in respiratory disease. This gives the potential for the test to be of value, together with the clinical findings, in differentiating cardiac and respiratory causes of dyspnoea and in selecting patients for further cardiac investigation. In addition, mildly increased concentrations may be useful in identifying possible cases of cardiac disease ahead of the development of overt signs of cardiac failure.
Clinical experience with proANP, a different pro-hormone, was relatively disappointing however the new assay appears more promising (ACVIM 2005 Proceedings) and we are happy to offer it at an introductory price of £10.

Test code: BNP
Sample requirement: 0.5ml canine serum
Turnaround: 1-3 days
Price: see current pricelist or contact the laboratory

Cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) is a recognised marker of cardiac muscle cell damage in man and is highly conserved across species, making human assays appropriate for veterinary use. This assay has been used in dogs, cats and horses to identify cardiac muscle damage, often associated with the presence of cardiomyopathy. While mild increases can be seen in dyspnoeic cats of non-cardiac origin, marked increases in cTnI show excellent sensitivity and good diagnostic accuracy for the presence of cardiac disease in this often diagnostically challenging group (ACVIM 2004 Proceedings).

Test code: TROP
Sample requirement: 0.5ml feline, canine or equine serum
Turnaround: 1 day
Price: see current pricelist or contact the laboratory

Work is continuing on the diagnostic usefulness of BNP in cats. In dogs however both assays have proved useful as they evaluate different aspects of cardiac dysfunction.

Canine Cardiac Profile
Both of these assays are available as individual assays or included in the new canine cardiac profile which comprises full haematological evaluation (to exclude anaemia), biochemistry relevant to cardiac and related organ function, BNP and cTnI.

Test code: CCP
Sample requirement: 1ml EDTA, 2 x serum gel tubes, 1 x oxalate tube, air dried smears - canine only.
Turnaround: 1-3 days
Price: see current pricelist or contact the laboratory