PROTOCOL to the Sleeping Respiratory Rate Study

Study Protocol:

The 2nd phase of the SRR study intends to examine SRR in animals with subclinical heart disease.

We are mostly interested in dogs with either myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) or Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) and cats with either hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) or unclassified/restrictive cardiomyopathy (UCM/RCM). However, patients with other cardiac disease can be included.

Inclusion criteria:

Dogs:

1. Subclinical heart disease.
2. No cardiac medications other than ACE-I are permitted.
3. No prior history of CHF
4. No co-morbidities that, in the clinician's estimation, are likely to affect SRR (e.g. pneumonia, COPD)

Cats:

1. Subclinical heart disease.
2. No cardiac medications other than beta blockers or ACE-I are permitted.
3. No prior history of CHF.
4. No co-morbidities that, in the clinician's estimation, are likely to affect SRR (e.g. asthma)

Data collection:

Pet owner:
10 measurements of SRR, obtained with the pet in a "deep sleep" (as best judged by the owner). No more than 2 measurements per day are permitted. Owners can collect data on no-consecutive days. Data collection sheets can be downloaded for clients here.

Clinician:

1. Patient signalment
   1. Name
   2. Species
   3. Breed
   4. Date of birth
   5. Reproductive status
   6. Bodyweight
   7. Body condition score
2. Disease specifics
   1. Primary disease diagnosis
   2. Comorbidities
   3. Medications
3. Echocardiographic variables
   1. Linear 2D short-axis dimensions of LA and AO (view image)
   2. Short-axis LA and AO areas
   3. LV dimensions in systole and diastole
   4. Subjective severity of disease based on LA size
   5. Pulmonary hypertension assessment