• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2019

Pimobendan is an inodilator used to treat canine heart failure, and pentoxifylline is reported to be beneficial for microcirculation and heart disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profiles of a novel pimobendan-pentoxifylline liquid mixture after oral administration to dogs. Eight healthy Beagle dogs were included in the study. The dogs were divided into the control group (orally administered water; n = 4) and experimental group (orally administered pimobendan-pentoxifylline liquid mixture [pimobendan 0.25 mg/kg, pentoxifylline 15 mg/kg]; n = 4). Plasma samples were obtained and echocardiographic indices were measured for 24 hours after administration. The concentrations of pimobendan and pentoxifylline were quantified by using a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS). The elimination half-life ($T_{1/2}$) was $32.96{\pm}9.80mins$ for pimobendan and $29.49{\pm}6.67mins$ for pentoxifylline. The time to reach maximum concentration ($T_{max}$) were $52.50{\pm}31.22mins$ for pimobendan and $41.25{\pm}18.87mins$ for pentoxifylline. The maximum blood concentration ($C_{max}$) was $96.92{\pm}75.64ng/mL$ for pimobendan and $7074.07{\pm}3261.1ng/mL$ for pentoxifylline. Of the echocardiographic indices, fractional shortening (FS) and left ventricular internal diameter at end systole (LVIDs) were significantly altered at 1-3 hours after the administration of pimobendan-pentoxifylline liquid mixture. The pimobendan-pentoxifylline liquid mixture was well tolerated by the dogs, with no adverse effects observed during the study.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.46-52
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• 2019

Pimobendan has inotropic and vasodilating effects on cardiovascular system, and pentoxifylline is known to decrease blood viscosity and improve blood flow to the heart. This study investigated the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics following oral administration of pimobendan-pentoxifylline powder mixture in dogs. Eight healthy dogs were included and were divided into control (n = 4) and experimental (n = 4) groups. Vehicle powder and pimobendan-pentoxifylline powder mixture (pimobendane 0.25 mg/kg, pentoxifylline 15 mg/kg) were administrated orally to control and experimental groups, respectively. Plasma samples and measurement of echocardiographic indices were obtained for 24 hours following administration. Pimobendan and pentoxifylline concentrations were investigated using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) assay. The elimination half-life ($T_{1/2}$) were $2.65{\pm}1.42hours$ for pimobendan and $0.29{\pm}0.23hours$ for pentoxifylline. The time to reach maximum concentration ($T_{max}$) were $1.08{\pm}0.72hours$ for pimobendan and $0.29{\pm}0.14hours$ for pentoxifylline. The maximum blood concentration ($C_{max}$) were $2.83{\pm}1.50ng/mL$ for pimobendan and $1184.33{\pm}932.37ng/mL$ for pentoxifylline. Among echocardiographic indices, fractional shortening (FS), left ventricular internal diameter at end systole (LVIDs), and pre-ejection period (PEP) showed significant changes at 1-4 hours after the administration of pimobendan-pentoxifylline powder mixture. No adverse effects were observed during the investigation. This study demonstrates that pimobendan-pentoxifylline powder mixture can be used to control cardiovascular diseases in dogs.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.17-22
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• 2009

Pimobendan is a recently developed cardiac drug which is useful to control moderate to severe congestive heart failure (CHF) from chronic mitral valvular diseases (CMVI). Because of controversy related to the efficacy and safety of pimobendan in dogs, the optimal efficacy and safety of pimobendan was assessed in 20 dogs with CMVI in this study. Scores for quality of life, respiratory failure, circulatory failure and heart failure were evaluated along with radiographical and echocardiographical assessments for about 2 months period after the addition of pimobendan into the regular cardiac medications. This study proved clear evidence that pimobendan had beneficial therapeutic effects in dogs with advanced CMVI, without particular adverse effects. However, further studies are warranted to address the drug interaction with other cardiac therapeutics and to assess therapeutic effects in CHF from other type of heart diseases in dogs and other animals.

• Journal of the korean veterinary medical association
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• v.42 no.10
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• pp.943-948
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• 2006

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.275-278
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• 2017

An 8-year old female Korean Short Hair cat with a history of paralysis of both hind limbs less than 1 hour before admission was referred. On physical examination, the left hind limb was cold and there was no pulsation or mobility. On abdominal ultrasound examination, a thrombus 8 mm in length was found at the aortic bifurcation. The patient was diagnosed with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and cardiogenic pulmonary edema through radiologic evaluation and echocardiography. A tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was applied intravenously using an accelerated dosing protocol (1 mg administered intravenously [IV] bolus, 2.5 mg IV over 30 min, 1.5 mg IV over 1 h) to treat the feline arterial thromboembolism. Within 12 h after administration of tPA, pulsation and mobility of both hind limbs were normal, without any noticeable complications. Clopidogrel was prescribed to prevent additional thrombus formation, and pimobendan, benazepril, and furosemide were prescribed for administration at home. The patient was discharged and survived 377 days.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.153-156
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• 2020

A 14-year-old intact female Cocker Spaniel dog, weighing 6.8 kg, presented with chief complaints of severe cough, dyspnea, anorexia, and exercise intolerance. It had the characteristics of a blood clot, the evidence of mitral regurgitation, a high left atrial/aortic root ratio, and pericardial effusion with a left atrial rupture due to myxomatous mitral valve degeneration (MMVD) was strongly suspected. Traditional therapy (pimobendan, furosemide, enalapril, and spironolactone) for heart failure with MMVD was provided twice a day orally, and partial pericardiectomy was performed for pericardial effusion. The medical prescriptions for MMVD were continued, and the patient's heart disease was well-controlled. However, it suddenly died 3 months after the operation.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.481-487
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• 2008

A 17-month-old intact male Cocker Spaniel was presented with primary complaints of severe ascites, exercise intolerance, and diarrhea. Diagnostic studies revealed tricuspid and pulmonic regurgitation on phonocardiogram, right ventricular enlargement on the electrocardiogram, typical right cardiac enlargement signs on the thoracic radiography and tricuspid valve malformation and marked enlargement of the right atrium and right ventricle on the echocardiography and tricuspid and pulmonary regurgitation on the color spectral echocardiography, suggesting tricuspid valve dysplasia and pulmonary hypertension. Using angiography and cardiac catheterization, pulmonary hypertension was ruled out. Further echocardiographic study revealed membranous valvular structures cranial to pulmonary annulus causing pulmonary regurgitation. Based on these findings on the diagnostic investigation, the case was diagnosed as tricuspid valve dysplasia complicated with pulmonic regurgitation. The dog was medically managed with furosemide, enalapril, nitroglycerine transdermal patch and pimobendan after the ascitic fluid removal.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.205-209
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• 2016

A 6-year-old male domestic shorthair cat was referred to Gyeongsang National University Animal Medical Center for labored breathing. According to the patient's history, the client had fed him commercial dog foods. The patient's hematological, radiographic, and echocardiographic examinations were evaluated for diagnosis. Echocardiography results showed marked dilations of ventricles and atriums and mitral regurgitation. A systolic dysfunction was detected. Plasma taurine concentration was lower than the reference range. Based on these results, the patient was diagnosed with feline dilated cardiomyopathy associated with taurine deficiency. Treatment included feline commercial foods, taurine, digoxin, furosemide, and clopidogrel. Digoxin was changed to pimobendan when normal blood pressure was achieved. Clinical signs improved gradually and no abnormalities were detected on echocardiograms at 10 weeks following onset of treatment.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
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• v.39 no.6
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• pp.366-372
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• 2022

A 2-year-old, spayed female, American shorthair cat presented with acute weight loss, tachypnea, and dyspnea. The cat had grade V holosystolic murmur and systemic hypotension. Echocardiography showed a 9 mm defect in the ventricular septum, left-to-right dominant bi-directional shunt, right ventricular hypertrophy, pulmonary stenosis, pulmonary hypertension, and overriding aorta. The cat was diagnosed with a Tetralogy of Fallot. The cat was treated with furosemide, pimobendan, ramipril, and sildenafil. Treatment reduced pulmonary infiltration, pulmonary vessel enlargement, and main pulmonary artery bulging. However, right-to-left flow increased over time and right ventricular outflow tract velocity was elevated. Currently, the patient has maintained an improved state for 1 year. This case report described a severe inherited feline Tetralogy of Fallot case that was successfully managed for a long time.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Service
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 2023

An eight-year-old, 28-kg male bull terrier who showed signs of lethargy and cough was referred for further evaluation of congestive heart failure. On presentation, physical examination revealed a systolic murmur at the left apex of the heart. Moreover, chest radiograph evaluation confirmed the mild alveolar and interstitial patterns in the caudal lung lobes and a grossly enlarged left atrium and left ventricle. Electrocardiography showed atrial fibrillation with a wide QRS complex, and transthoracic echocardiography revealed marked enlargement of the left atrium with abnormal morphology of the mitral valve. The thickened, hammer-like appearance and abnormal diastolic motion of the mitral valve leaflets were characterized by decreased leaflet separation and doming of the valve. The diagnosis was mitral stenosis with congestive heart failure and atrial fibrillation. The owner declined interventional valvuloplasty. Medical treatment included furosemide, pimobendan and diltiazem. Regular health check-ups have shown that vitality and clinical signs have improved considerably, and the dog have remained stable for 6 months after the presentation.