Prediction of Stage B2 Mitral Valve Disease in Cavaliers with Longitudinal Follow-Up

Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS) are particularly predisposed to developing myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD). Ideally, echocardiographic measurements are needed for complete MMVD staging, however, not all CKCS will have readily available access to echocardiography. This session will discuss the utility of breed-specific cut-offs and prediction models aimed at identifying stage B2 MMVD in preclinical CKCS in the absence of an echocardiogram using physical examination, electrocardiography, radiography and biomarker variables. These cut-offs and prediction models were developed from a large, prospectively collected dataset of 226 CKCS. In addition, longitudinal follow-up data collected on participating CKCS will be analyzed to determine which of these variables carried the most prognostic significance with regard to progression towards congestive heart failure or death in this cohort of dogs.