Isometric myography is a feasible method to identify and quantify endothelial dysfunction in dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Objective: To assess the feasibility of isometric myography in pet dogs with myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) to determine its use in quantifying endothelial dysfunction.

Animals: 9 dogs euthanized for medical reasons.

Methods: Femoral, renal, and mesenteric arteries were collected postmortem and stored in physiological saline solution at 4 °C for myography. Mitral valves were scored for myxomatous degeneration (grades 1 to 4). Sections of arteries were mounted in wells, immersed in physiological saline solution perfused with 95% O2 and 5% CO2 at 37 °C, and stretched to an internal circumference (IC) that generated the maximal difference between active and passive wall tension (IC1). Normalization factors were calculated by dividing the IC1 by the IC at which the passive wall tension was 100 mm Hg (IC100). Vasoconstriction to phenylephrine and vasodilation to acetylcholine (endothelial dependent) and sodium nitroprusside (endothelial independent) were assessed by cumulative dose-response curves.

Results: Median MMVD grade was 3. Mean values of normalization factors were 1.00 ± 0.14 (renal, n = 15), 1.00 ± 0.10 (femoral, 8), and 1.05 ± 0.12 (mesenteric, 6). Responses to phenylephrine were similar between dogs (P = .14). Reduced responses to acetylcholine compared with sodium nitroprusside were identified in 15 arteries, suggesting endothelial dysfunction.

Clinical Relevance: Isometric myography of arteries from pet dogs is feasible and can identify loss of endothelial-dependent relaxation in dogs with MMVD postmortem. Its use in further research can lead to a better understanding of the pathophysiology mechanisms of this disease.