Cardiac troponin I and C-reactive protein concentrations in dogs with severe pulmonic stenosis before and after balloon valvuloplasty

ObjectiveTo report cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in dogs with severe pulmonic stenosis (PS) before and after balloon valvuloplasty (BV).BackgroundIncreased morbidity and mortality have been reported with severe PS and histopathologic evidence of myocardial damage is demonstrated with BV. Severity of myocardial injury and inflammation associated with severe PS and BV, as assessed by cTnI and CRP, is unknown.Animals, materials and methodsSerum cTnI and CRP concentrations were measured in dogs with severe PS (n = 23) and following BV (n = 16).ResultsBaseline cTnI and CRP were elevated in 7/23 (30.4%) and 8/23 (34.8%) dogs. Median cTnI at baseline and post-BV were 0.20 ng/mL (range, 0.20–1.29 ng/mL) and 2.85 ng/mL (range, 0.21–55.40 ng/mL), respectively. Median CRP at baseline and post-BV were 3.40 μg/mL (range, 0–14.70 μg/mL) and 11.70 μg/mL (range, 4.20–120 μg/mL), respectively. Post-BV concentrations were significantly increased compared to baseline for cTnI (p < 0.001) and CRP (p = 0.001).ConclusionsSerum cTnI and CRP are increased in dogs with severe PS and following BV. Future studies should evaluate whether biomarkers correlate with severity and prognosis of PS or can be used to guide therapy.