Effect of Pimobendan on Case Fatal i ty Rate in Doberman Pinschers with Congest ive Heart Fai lure Caused by Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Background: Despite traditional therapy of a diuretic, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, digoxin, or a combination of these drugs, survival of dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is low. Pimobendan, an inodilator, has both inotropic and balanced peripheral vasodilatory properties. Hypothesis: Pimobendan when added to conventional therapy will improve morbidity and reduce case fatality rate in Doberman Pinschers with congestive heart failure (CHF) caused by DCM. Animals: Sixteen Doberman Pinschers in CHF caused by DCM. Methods: A prospective randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study with treatment failure as the primary and quality of life (QoL) indices as secondary outcome variables. Therapy consisted of furosemide (per os [PO] as required) and benazepril hydrochloride (0.5mg/kg PO q12h) and dogs were randomized in pairs and by sex to receive pimobendan (0.25mg/ kg PO q12h) or placebo (1 tablet PO q12h). Results: Pimobendan-treated dogs had a significant improvement in time to treatment failure (pimobendan median, 130.5 days; placebo median, 14 days; P5.002; risk ratio5 0.35, P5.003, lower 5 % confidence limit5 0.13, upper 95 % confidence limit5 0.71). Number and rate of dogs reaching treatment failure in the placebo group precluded the analysis of QoL. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: Pimobendan should be used as a first-line therapeutic in Doberman Pinschers for the treatment of CHF caused by DCM