Letters
from first-opinion practice, we are able to answer questions of real clinical relevance, and in doing so contribute to the growing body of evidence that informs our daily practice. We therefore reiterate our thanks to colleagues who contributed cases and urge them and others to continue to contribute cases for similar studies in future. Adrian Boswood, Royal Veterinary
College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA Jo Dukes-McEwan, University of Liverpool, Leahurst, Chester High Road, Neston, Cheshire CH64 7TE Anne French, Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, Easter Bush Veterinary Centre, Easter Bush, Midlothian EH25 9RG Chris Little, Barton Veterinary Hospital, 34 New Dover Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3DT Mark Patteson, HeartVet Consultants, Vale Referrals, Stinchcombe, Dursley, Gloucestershire GL11 6AJ Simon Swift, Rutland House Referrals, Rutland House Veterinary Hospital, Abbotsfield Road, St Helens WA9 4HU Sarah Smith, Sarah Smith Cardiology, The Old Vicarage, Sutton on the Hill, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 5JA Ruth Willis, Broadleys Veterinary Hospital, Craig Leith Road, Broadleys, Stirling FK7 7LE
Treatment of congestive heart failure in dogs SIR, – Five years ago we wrote to The Veterinary Record asking colleagues to help us recruit cases to a study – the QUEST study – evaluating the effect of pimobendan compared with benazepril in dogs with congestive heart failure secondary to myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) (Boswood and others 2003). This international, multicentre, randomised, blinded study was completed in 2006, and the results have been recently published (Häggström and others 2008). The study demonstrated that treatment with pimobendan conferred a significant survival benefit over treatment with benazepril in this population of dogs. We believe that this is a clinically significant result and should assist practitioners in the optimal choice of treatment for dogs with congestive heart failure related to MMVD. Ultimately, we hope that it will lead to these patients enjoying longer periods of good-quality life following a diagnosis of this debilitating condition. We particularly want to thank colleagues who contributed cases to the study. We should be proud that the UK contributed 70 of the 260 dogs recruited to the study, the largest contribution of any of the 11 countries involved. Through performing such studies, with the invaluable help of cases recruited 520
References BOSWOOD, A., DUKES-MCEWAN, J., FRENCH, A., LITTLE, C., SWIFT, S., SMITH, S. & PATTESON, M. (2003) Investigation of pimobendan versus benazepril in canine myxomatous valvular disease. Veterinary Record 153, 439-440 HÄGGSTRÖM, J., BOSWOOD, A., O’GRADY, M., JÖNS, O., SMITH, S., SWIFT, S. & OTHERS (2008) Effect of pimobendan or benazepril hydrochloride on survival times in dogs with congestive heart failure caused by naturally occurring myxomatous mitral valve disease: the QUEST study. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine 22, 1124-1135
The Veterinary Record, October 25, 2008
