Long-term effect of low-dose imatinib therapy for pulmonary hypertension due to chronic degenerative mitral valve disease in six dogs

Abstract

Six dogs were diagnosed with pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to chronic degenerative mitral valve
disease (CDMVD) on echocardiography. Imatinib (3 mg/kg, every 24 hours, PO) was initiated without any changes to
the background therapy to treat the PH. Follow-up evaluations at 1, 3, 5 and 6 months revealed substantial clinical and
hemodynamic improvements. One dog showed deterioration after the imatinib withdrawal to necessitate a restart
therapy. No side effects were observed throughout the 6-month treatment course. Low-dose imatinib may provide a
promising treatment alternative for CDMVD-associated PH in dogs.