Dogs with Asymptomatic Valvular Heart Disease Needed!

MedVet’s Cardiology Department 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 4 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. 

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                                                                                                  

The study will pay for an initial visit (exam and echocardiogram) for a patient to be evaluated at MedVet for possible enrollment in the study.   For enrolled patients, the study will then cover cardiac medical costs for follow-up of the patient.   This will include clinic visits to MedVet 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 the Cardiology Department at MedVet (614-431-4405, Shawna Ray, Scheduling Coordinator) or Dr. Ann Bancroft at abancroft@medvetohio.com or Dr. Linda Lehmkuhl at llehmkuhl@medvetohio.com for questions or patient referrals for this study.