Clinical assessment and C-reactive protein (CRP), haptoglobin (Hp), and cardiac troponin i (cTnI) values of brachycephalic dogs with upper airway obstruction before and after surgery

© 2015, The Canadian Journal of Veterinary Research. All Rights Reserved. Brachycephalic dogs have unique upper respiratory anatomy with abnormal breathing patterns that are similar to those inhumans with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). The objectives of this multicenter prospective study were to assess theeffects of surgical correction on clinical signs in dogs with brachycephalic airway obstructive syndrome (BAOS) and to evaluatethe levels of several biomarkers [C-reactive protein (CRP); haptoglobin (Hp), and cardiac troponin I (cTnI)] used to determinesystemic inflammation and myocardial damage. This study was conducted on 33 dogs with BAOS that were evaluated beforeand 1 to 2 mo after surgical correction. Palatoplasty was carried out by means of 2 different surgical techniques: carbon dioxide(CO2) laser (n = 12) and electrical scalpel (n = 21). Biomarker levels (CRP, Hp, and cTnI) were determined before and after surgery.There was a significant reduction in respiratory and gastrointestinal signs in dogs with BAOS after surgical treatment (P< 0.001).A greater reduction in respiratory signs (P<0.002) was obtained using the CO2 laser. No statistical differences were foundbetween CRP and cTnI levels, either before or after surgical correction. Haptoglobin concentration did increase significantly inthe postsurgical period (P< 0.008). Surgical treatment in dogs with BAOS reduces clinical signs, regardless of the anatomicalcomponents present. Surgical treatment for BAOS is not useful to reduce CRP and Hp levels, probably because BAOS does notinduce as obvious an inflammatory process in dogs as in human patients with OSAS. No reduction in cTnI levels was observed1 mo after surgery in dogs with BAOS, which suggests that some degree of myocardial damage remains.