Serum Cardiac Troponin I Concentration in Retired Racing Greyhounds

Authors: LaVecchio, D.¹; Marin, L.M.¹; Baumwart, R.¹; Iazbik, M.C.²; Westendorf, N.²; Couto, C.G.

Source: Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Volume 23, Number 1, January/February 2009 , pp. 87-90(4)

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Abstract:

Background:

Cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is a polypeptide found specifically in cardiac muscle tissue that has been used as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator of cardiomyopathy. Increases in cTnI are associated with myocardial pathologic processes. However, high serum cTnI concentrations have been observed in normal Greyhounds. Hypothesis:

We hypothesized that Greyhounds have cTnI concentrations higher than non-Greyhound dogs, and that a separate reference range should be established for Greyhounds. Animals:

Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein from a group of 20 healthy Greyhound blood donors. Methods:

Analysis of serum cTnI was performed with an immunoassay system with a detection level of 0.01 ng/mL, as described previously. The Greyhound values were compared with 2 groups of Boxers with and without arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), and to a group of non-Boxer control dogs from a previous study. Results:

The mean cTnI concentration in Greyhounds was significantly higher (P < .0001) than that in non-Greyhound control dogs, although not significantly different from normal Boxers (P= .50), or Boxers with ARVC (P= .58). Greyhound serum cTnI concentrations were in the range found in Boxers with ARVC. The proposed reference range for cTnI in Greyhounds is 0.05-0.16 ng/mL. Conclusions and Clinical Importance:

Greyhounds have a reference range for serum cTnI concentrations that differs from that of other previously published reference ranges for dogs of other breeds. Until a broader database and more precise reference range can be established, caution should be exercised in interpreting serum cTnI concentrations in Greyhounds with suspected cardiac disease.

Keywords: Cardiac biomarkers; Cardiac reference ranges; Cardiology; Cardiomyopathy; Cardiovascular

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0237.x

Affiliations: 1: Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Columbus, OH, 2: the Veterinary Teaching Hospital, College of Veterinary Medicine, Columbus, OH; and

Publication date: 2009-01-01

Serum Cardiac Troponin I Concentration in Retired Racing Greyhounds

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