benazepril and pimobendan

A fixed-dose combination tablet of benazepril and pimobendan (Fortekor Plus; Elanco Animal Health) was tested in dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) in a three-arm, masked, randomized, non-inferiority clinical trial in Japan. The test group (n = 34) received Fortekor Plus twice daily. Two control groups received registered formulations of benazepril (Fortekor; Elanco Animal Health) and pimobendan (Vetmedin; Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica) with administration of Vetmedin twice daily and Fortekor twice (Control I, n = 14) or once (Control II, n = 19) daily. Diuretics were used in 22 dogs (32.8%). Global clinical scores decreased significantly from baseline in all groups; there were no significant differences between groups, and non-inferiority of Fortekor Plus compared to Control I, Control II, and combined Control I + II groups was demonstrated. There were no significant differences between groups for relevant clinical chemistry and hematology variables or frequency of all adverse events. Frequency of emesis was significantly (

Topics: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Animals; Benzazepines; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Drug Combinations; Female; Heart Failure; Male; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Pyridazines; Treatment Outcome

To support their combined use, the objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of benazepril and pimobendan on serum angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity in dogs. A total of 48 healthy beagle dogs were randomized into four groups (n = 12 per group) in a parallel-group design study: A (control, placebo twice daily (BID)); B (0.5-1.0 mg/kg benazepril once daily (SID) in the morning, placebo in the evening); C (0.25-0.5 mg/kg benazepril BID); D (0.25-0.5 mg/kg benazepril and 0.125-0.25 mg/kg pimobendan, both BID). The test items were administered orally for 15 days. Serum ACE activity was measured on days 1 and 15. Groups B, C and D had significantly lower average serum ACE activity compared to baseline and to the control group, on both days 1 and 15. There were no significant differences in average ACE activity between groups B, C and D. Noninferiority of group C to B was demonstrated. In conclusion, 0.25-0.5 mg/kg benazepril administered BID produced noninferior inhibition of serum ACE activity compared to 0.5-1.0 mg/kg benazepril dosed SID. Pimobendan had no significant effect on benazepril's action on serum ACE activity. The results support the use of benazepril BID in dogs and in combination with pimobendan.

Topics: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Animals; Benzazepines; Dogs; Female; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; Male; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A; Pyridazines

Pimobendan (PIMO) can cause adverse effects, such as mitral valve degeneration, in dogs; however, it is unclear whether these effects occur in cats. Therefore, we aimed to determine whether PIMO or benazepril produces adverse cardiac effects in healthy cats. This was a blinded, randomized, prospective parallel study. Twelve cats were randomly divided into two groups of six cats, namely, an angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor group that received benazepril and a PIMO group. Cats were administered their respective treatments for 506 days, and we evaluated cardiac parameters, blood biochemistry and glomerular filtration rates during that time. At the end of the trial, the cats were euthanized, and histopathological examinations were performed by a pathologist who was blinded to the treatment groups. No significant changes were observed in any of the parameters measured in either of the groups. In particular, no significant cardiac lesions were observed in either of the groups. In healthy cats, neither PIMO nor benazepril appears to cause cardiac lesions, but future studies are needed to examine the effects of PIMO in cats with heart disease.

Topics: Animals; Antihypertensive Agents; Benzazepines; Cardiovascular System; Cats; Female; Male; Mitral Valve; Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors; Prospective Studies; Pyridazines; Single-Blind Method; Time Factors

A 14-year-old Persian cat was referred for evaluation of the progression of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) after an acute episode of congestive heart failure. The diagnosis of HCM had been made almost 13 years ago. Echocardiography and electrocardiography revealed end-stage hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and multifocal atrial tachycardia. The patient was discharged on medical management with a grave prognosis.

Topics: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Animals; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Atenolol; Benzazepines; Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic; Cardiotonic Agents; Cat Diseases; Cats; Clopidogrel; Diuretics; Furosemide; Male; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors; Pyridazines; Ticlopidine

Interventional cardiac procedures are traditionally performed using fluoroscopy, or, more recently, transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Neither modality is widely available to practicing cardiologists worldwide. We examined whether balloon valvuloplasty of pulmonic stenosis (PS) and transarterial occlusion of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in dogs could be performed safely with transthoracic echocardiography (TTE).. A prospective consecutive case series of 26 client-owned dogs with PS (n = 10) and PDA (n = 16).. The cardiovascular procedures were performed using TTE. Each dog was positioned on a standard echocardiography table in right lateral recumbency (dogs with PS) or left lateral recumbency (dogs with PDA). Guide wires, balloon catheters, Amplatz(®) Canine Ductal Occluder (ACDO) delivery sheaths, and ACDO were imaged by standard echocardiographic views optimized to allow visualization of the defects and devices.. Procedures were performed successfully without major complications in 20 dogs. In 2 dogs (German shepherds) with Type III PDA, ACDO placement was unsuccessful; 2 other German Shepherds were excluded from the procedure because their ductal diameters, measured echocardiographically, exceeded the limits of the maximal ACDO size. Two dogs weighing ≤3.5 kg had suboptimal echocardiographic visualization of the PDA and were considered too small for safe ACDO deployment. All intravascular devices at the level of the heart and great vessels appeared hyperechoic on TTE image and could be clearly monitored and guided in real-time.. We have demonstrated that TTE monitoring can guide each step of pulmonic balloon valvuloplasty and PDA occlusion without fluoroscopy.

Topics: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Animals; Balloon Valvuloplasty; Benzazepines; Cardiotonic Agents; Diuretics; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent; Echocardiography; Female; Furosemide; Heart Failure; Male; Pyridazines

This retrospective study reports the survival time [onset of congestive heart failure (CHF) to death from any cause] of 21 dogs with mitral regurgitation (MR) and CHF treated with a combination of furosemide, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI, benazepril, or enalapril), pimobendan, spironolactone, and amlodipine. Baseline echocardiographic data: end-systolic and end-diastolic volume indices (ESVI and EDVI), left atrium to aorta ratio (LA/Ao), and regurgitant fraction (RF) are reported. Median survival time (MST) was 430 d. Initial dosage of furosemide (P = 0.0081) and LA/Ao (P = 0.042) were negatively associated with survival. Baseline echocardiographic indices (mean ± standard deviation) were 40.24 ± 16.76 for ESVI, 161.48 ± 44.49 mL/m(2) for EDVI, 2.11 ± 0.75 for LA/Ao, and 64.71 ± 16.85% for RF. Combining furosemide, ACEI, pimobendan, spironolactone, and amlodipine may result in long survival times in dogs with MR and CHF. Severity of MR at onset of CHF is at least moderate.

Topics: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Animals; Benzazepines; Cardiotonic Agents; Death, Sudden, Cardiac; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Drug Therapy, Combination; Enalapril; Female; Furosemide; Heart Failure; Male; Mitral Valve Insufficiency; Pyridazines; Retrospective Studies; Ultrasonography

Topics: Animals; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Antihypertensive Agents; Benzazepines; Cardiomyopathies; Cardiotonic Agents; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Electrocardiography; Male; Pyridazines; Sotalol; Tachycardia, Ventricular; Ventricular Dysfunction, Right

Topics: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; Animals; Benzazepines; Cardiotonic Agents; Clinical Trials as Topic; Dog Diseases; Dogs; Heart Valve Diseases; Myxomatosis, Infectious; Pyridazines