RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS OF THE 28th ECVIM-CA CONGRESS

Causes of plasma variations in the cardiac biomarker B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) have not been fully evaluated in healthy cats. The objectives were to investigate effect of breed and other signalment variables on NT‐proBNP concentrations in healthy cats using quantitative ELISA and to compare with a point of care test (POC). 100 healthy cats; 33 Birman, 35 Norwegian Forest and 32 Domestic Shorthair cats were included. Absence of heart disease and other significant diseases was ensured by physical examination, measurement of systolic blood pressure, echocardiography, hematology and blood biochemistry. NT‐proBNP concentrations were analysed by ELISA at a reference laboratory. The POC test was analysed by visual inspection and an automated method, considered “positive” if ≥100 pmol/l. Data was analysed using non‐parametric tests and regression analyses. NT‐proBNP concentration for all cats was 12 pmol/l (IQR 12‐31) and there was no significant effect of body weight or age on the NT‐proBNP concentration. Median concentration of NT‐proBNP was twice as high in male (25 pmol/l, IQR 12‐49) compared to in female cats (12 pmol/l, IQR 12‐25.5) P = 0.0072. Three cats had ≥100 pmol/l with the ELISA, two of them were positive using visual inspection of the POC test. One cat with titre 155 pmol/l and 4 with lower titres < 100 were positive when the POC test was automatically analysed. Sex, but not breed, body weight or age, influenced NT‐proBNP concentrations in healthy cats. Visual inspection of the POC test showed higher agreement with ELISA compared to using automated analysis.