Get with the Current “ACVIM” Guidelines: Management of Chronic Valvular Disease

Approved for one hour California Statutory CEU

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Summary: Approximately 10% of dogs have heart disease, and of those, around 30% will develop congestive heart failure (CHF). Of dogs with heart disease, the number 1 cause is chronic valvular disease (CVD). This case-based course will review canine CVD, including its pathophysiology and American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) clinical stages and updated treatment recommendations, along with the rationale for staging heart disease. The importance of calculating sleeping/resting respiratory rate and vertebral heart score (VHS), as well as supporting diagnostic tests, will be discussed. The EPIC study will be explored in detail, including specific findings and recommendations from the Cardiac Education Group (CEG) that may help clinicians improve patients’ quality of life and delay onset of CHF or cardiac death.

Learning Objectives:

1. Know how to use appropriate diagnostic tests to stage dogs with chronic valvular disease (CVD) according to the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) Heart Failure Staging scheme, with emphasis on the role of echocardiography versus thoracic radiographs.
2. Learn the new recommendations for treatment of stage B2 CVD, with emphasis on the scientific evidence responsible for the updates.
3. Learn the new recommendations for treatment of stage C CVD, with emphasis on the scientific evidence responsible for the updates.

Bio: Dr. Sonya Gordon is an ACVIM diplomate in cardiology, professor of cardiology, and Eugene Ch’en chair in cardiology at Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences. She has published original manuscripts, book chapters, and a textbook.

Dr. Gordon’s interests and expertise in teaching have led to many invitations to organize and take part in continuing education events for veterinarians and veterinary cardiologists around the world. These opportunities, coupled with her involvement in multicenter international studies, have provided her with a global perspective with respect to veterinary cardiology.

Dr. Gordon considers her home College Station, Texas, where she shares her life with her husband, 4 dogs, and 2 cats.

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