Dilated cardiomyopathy in a De Brazza's monkey (Cercopithecus neglectus)

Traumatic chylothorax in urbanized free-ranging black-tufted marmosets (Callithrix penicillata)

After fatal traumatic injuries, three urbanized free-ranging marmosets developed a milky white or pink-white thoracic alkaline effusion with high specific gravity, triglyceride levels, and predominance of small lymphocytes. Chylothorax is an uncommon thoracic fluid accumulation in animals and humans and has not been reported in free-ranging non-human primates.

Long-term management of congestive heart failure secondary to mitral stenosis in a ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta)

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 15-year-old sexually intact female ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta) was evaluated for a heart murmur and progressive radiographic cardiomegaly.

CLINICAL FINDINGS

The lemur was clinically normal at the time of initial evaluation. Results of transthoracic echocardiography performed when the animal was anesthetized indicated mitral valve stenosis and severe left atrial dilation. Three months later, signs of left-sided congestive heart failure (CHF; coughing, exercise intolerance, and tachypnea) were observed and confirmed by the presence of radiographic pulmonary edema.

TREATMENT AND OUTCOME

Medical treatment that consisted of aspirin, benazepril, furosemide, pimobendan, spironolactone, and ultimately torsemide in lieu of furosemide successfully controlled the lemur's clinical signs for 33 months after the development of CHF. Euthanasia was then elected on the basis of perceived poor quality of life because tachypnea became refractory to progressively higher dosages of diuretic. Necropsy confirmed mitral stenosis with severe left atrial dilation and chronic pulmonary congestion.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

The present report described the long-term medical management of CHF secondary to mitral stenosis in a lemur. Mitral stenosis was suspected to be a congenital defect, similar to the cause of mitral stenosis reported for dogs and cats, rather than to be an acquired change in association with rheumatic heart disease as commonly occurs for people. The lemur's CHF was well managed for 33 months with treatment, including pimobendan, which was well tolerated.

THORACIC RADIOGRAPHY AND TRANSTHORACIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY IN CLINICALLY HEALTHY RING-TAILED LEMURS (LEMUR CATTA)

Cardiac disease has been recognized as a major cause of death in captive nonhuman primates, which necessitates diagnostic (imaging) techniques to screen for and diagnose preclinical and clinical stages of possible cardiac conditions. Echocardiography is currently the most commonly used diagnostic tool for evaluation of cardiac anatomy and function. Complete with thoracic radiography and blood levels of two cardiac biomarkers, N-terminal probrain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT), it gives an extensive examination of the cardiorespiratory system. The purpose of this cross-sectional cohort study is to describe normal thoracic anatomy using thoracic radiography, and to provide normal values for echocardiographic measurements in 20 ring-tailed lemurs (Lemur catta). Additionally, cardiac biomarkers were determined. Three radiographic projections of the thoracic cavity and a complete transthoracic echocardiography were performed in 20 clinically healthy ring-tailed lemurs during their annual health examinations. Similar standard right parasternal and left apical echocardiographic images were obtained as described in dogs and cats and normal values for routine two-dimensional (2D-), time-motion (M-) and Doppler mode measurements were generated. Furthermore, a noninvasive smartphone base ECG recording and blood concentrations of cardiac biomarkers were obtained. Other radiographic measurements are provided for the skeletal and respiratory systems such as the trachea to inlet ratio and tracheal inclination. Knowledge of the normal radiographic thoracic and echocardiographic anatomy and function are fundamental for the diagnosis and follow-up of cardiac disease in affected individuals and for species screening, and will be of added value in future research in and conservation of this endangered species.

Renin Activity in Heart Failure with Reduced Systolic Function-New Insights

Regardless of the cause, symptomatic heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (rEF) is characterized by pathological activation of the renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) with sodium retention and extracellular fluid expansion (edema). Here, we review the role of active renin, a crucial, upstream enzymatic regulator of the RAAS, as a prognostic and diagnostic plasma biomarker of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) progression; we also discuss its potential as a pharmacological bio-target in HF therapy. Clinical and experimental studies indicate that plasma renin activity is elevated with symptomatic HFrEF with edema in patients, as well as in companion animals and experimental models of HF. Plasma renin activity levels are also reported to be elevated in patients and animals with rEF before the development of symptomatic HF. Modulation of renin activity in experimental HF significantly reduces edema formation and the progression of systolic dysfunction and improves survival. Thus, specific assessment and targeting of elevated renin activity may enhance diagnostic and therapeutic precision to improve outcomes in appropriate patients with HFrEF.

HEART MEASUREMENTS OF NON-HUMAN PRIMATES BY RADIOGRAPHIC TECHNIQUES

Abstract Thoracic Radiology is a diagnostic technique used to study several aberrations, including cardiac abnormalities, which can be determined by VHS (vertebral heart size). The heart length and width are measured, and the CTR (cardiothoracic ratio) is calculated, by comparing the heart width to the thoracic diameter. This study aimed at measuring the cardiac silhouette of non-human primates (PNH) belonging to the genus Sapajus sp., and the Alouatta guariba species through VHS and CTR. From among the eight animals assessed, it was evident that in both the Sapajus sp. and the Alouatta guariba, the highest HSV change index was observed, depending upon the age of the animal. However, although the individuals of the Alouatta guariba species are bigger in size and heavier, the animals of the genus Sapajus sp. have a larger heart size in proportion to their body.

Radiographic evaluation of cardiac silhouette using vertebral heart size method in squirrel monkey (Saimiri sciureus)

BACKGROUND

The Saimiri sciureus represents a valuable resource for biomedical research, due to its large number on primate centers and similarity to human anatomy and physiology. The aim of this study was to apply the method proposed by Buchanan & Bücheler in healthy squirrel monkeys (S. sciureus) and determine by radiographic examination, the average value of the vertebral heart size (VHS) for the specie.

METHOD

Laterolateral left (LLL), laterolateral right (LLR), ventrodorsal (VD), and dorsoventral (DV) projections were used for radiographic examinations to evaluate the heart silhouette of S. sciureus.

RESULTS

There was no statistical difference between the projections LLL and LLR, or VD and DV, and between males and females, so measurements in the four radiographic projections were not performed.

CONCLUSION

The values obtained in VHS of S. sciureus showed up species specific.

RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF ADULT-ONSET CARDIAC DISEASE IN FRANÇOIS' LANGURS (TRACHYPITHECUS FRANCOISI) HOUSED IN U.S. ZOOS

Cardiac disease is a common condition in captive primates, and multiple cases in François' langurs ( Trachypithecus francoisi ) were noted on review of the Species Survival Plan studbook. To determine the prevalence of cardiac disease in this species, surveys were distributed to current and previous holding institutions (n = 23) for the U.S. studbook population (n = 216). After exclusion of stillbirths (n = 48), animals less than 1 yr of age (n = 8), and animals housed internationally (n = 2), a study group (n = 158) was identified for this analysis. Robust data was received for 98.7% (n = 156) of the study group and antemortem and postmortem cardiac abnormalities were reported for 25.3% (n = 40) of these animals. Eight animals were reported as medically managed for clinical cardiac disease, and three of these were alive at the time of survey. Six of 11 animals with radiographic cardiac silhouette enlargement antemortem were noted with cardiomegaly on postmortem examination. Of 102 deceased animals in the study group, four were identified with dilated cardiomyopathy, and varying degrees of myocardial fibrosis was observed in 18 animals. Langurs with cardiac fibrosis were found to be significantly older than langurs without cardiac fibrosis (P = 0.003) and more commonly were male (P = 0.036). Screening tests for cardiac disease, such as thoracic radiographs and echocardiography, are recommended to diagnose affected animals earlier, to monitor progression of disease, and to guide treatment, although they should be interpreted with caution because of apparent insensitivity when compared with pathologic results.

Cardiothoracic ratio and vertebral heart size (VHS) to standardize the heart size of the tufted capuchin (Cebus apella Linnaeus, 1758) in computerized radiographic images

Abstract: The VHS and CTR were assessed using computerized thoracic radiographs of ten clinically healthy tufted capuchin monkeys (five males and five females) from the Wild Animal Screening Center in São Luís (Centro de Triagem de Animais Silvestres de São Luís-MA-CETAS). Radiographs were taken in laterolateral and dorsoventral projections to calculate the cardiothoracic ratio (VHS) and vertebral heart size (CTR). The VHS showed mean values of 9.34±0.32v (males) and 9.16±0.34v (females) and there was no statistical difference between males and females (p>0.05). The CTR showed mean values of 0.55±0.04 (males) and 0.52±0.03 (females) and there was no statistical difference between the sexes (p>0.05). There was positive correlation between VHS and CTR (r=0.78). The thoracic and heart diameters showed mean values of 5.70±0.48cm and 2.16±0.40cm in the males, respectively. In the females they measured 5.32±0.39cm and 2.94±0.32cm. There was no statistical difference between the sexes. Our results show that the high correlation found between VHS and CTR permitted the verification with similar clinical precision between the two methods to estimate alterations in the heart silhouette by radiographic examination of tufted capuchin, making it an easy technique to apply that can be considered in the investigation of heart problems for this wild species.